TT_April2021_DIGITAL.pdf - Think Water

40
THINK TANK NEWS FOR THINK WATER MEMBERS & PARTNERS APRIL 2021

Transcript of TT_April2021_DIGITAL.pdf - Think Water

THINK TANKNEWS FOR THINK WATER MEMBERS amp PARTNERS

APRIL 2021

daveywatercom

Whether yoursquore enjoying a shower after a long day doing your laundry and watering your garden all at the same time you need reliable constant water pressure Pre-assembled as a daisy chain DynaDrive can now handle double the demand with double the flow rate Perfect pressure when you need it Talk to your local Davey Dealer today to find out more

NOW AVAILABLE as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps Unit pictured is for illustration purposes only

Actual installation may vary

Protecting and enhancing peoplersquos lives with water Since 1934

Simple control Perfect pressureDavey DynaDriveConstant Pressure System

ENERGY EFFICIENT

SET amp FORGET

QUIET OPERATION

INDUSTRIAL QUALITY

2020 was a year we will all remember and talk about with the coming generations for all sorts of reasons

While the rapid changes technology has forced change upon us for most of our lives we have never experienced the acceleration of the digital world like 2020 the year Covid19 hit In a year where shops shut entire businesses worked from home and the ability to travel freely disappeared even the most technologically challenged were forced into the digital world

The Think Water family already well entrenched in the digital world accelerated our use in 2020 With travel restricted the national support office switched our Preferred Supplier and Member operational meetings to video meetings using Microsoft Teams and Zoom becoming the new way to communicate

Online meetings have increased our efficiencies and given us the format for our most successful Annual General Meeting with 24 attendees and a list of resolutions passed that strengthen our unique MemberndashShareholder ownership structure

We continued our digital development releasing new Think Water New Zealand and Australia websites and personalised microsites for each Think Water Member

The new microsites work in conjunction with individual Google my Business and social media profiles to ensure the Think Water digital footprint continues to grow

In 2021 we are continuing our digital investment with increased search engine optimisation and improvements to the educational content on our national websites and microsites

With goals for our digital footprint set we now have the digital analytics to work with each Think Water Member and ensure their presence in the digital world is growing and is utilised as effectively as possible

So while 2020 was the year that forced plenty of change into our business world it was also the year that proved Think Water is prepared for the changes that lie ahead This issue of Think Tank focusrsquos on working in a digital world We hope you enjoy the read

Tony France General Manager

THINK TANK is a Publication of Think Water National Support Office

Contributors Tony France Liesle Corns Aimee Hewson Natalie Kingcott Robyn Anderson Andrew Walker Chris Rehm and Phil Best

YOUR

LOC

AL WATER EXPER

TS

ContentsLetrsquos get digital 4

Save the date 6

Success for the Think Water Academy 8

Welcome to the family 10

Gold in data 12

A holistic training solution 13

Upgrading to increase effeciency within our business 14

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure 15

Five steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business 16

Welcome to the team Mark Allan 18

Could this be the update your business needs 19

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing 21

Who we are is how we work 22

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings 23

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair 24

The all-in-one rainwater filtration solution 25

Crusader Hose commits to the irrigation industry 26

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as daisy chain27

Brand evolution 28

Worldrsquos first insect resistant drip tape 29

Tempustm DC kits30

All the right parts in one great value bundle 30

Time and money saving valve solutions 31

Pattern approved water meters 32

Six reasons to install a solar pumping system 33

Dripper comparison 34

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality 35

Dust control in agriculture 36

3April 2021 | THINK TANK

OPPORTUNITY

CLOUDCOMPUTING

INTERNET

TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION

DIGITALSERVICES

Letrsquos get digital

App and software solutions to increase productivity in your business

Device Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $3 per user per month Free seven day trial

What it does Deputy is a mobile app that gives you the ability to manage employee rosters recordtrack time and swap shifts Integrates with many accounting software platforms

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $60 per month

What it does NearMap is cloud based software that provides high-resolution up-to-date scaleable aeiral photos Integrates with many GIS and CAD software platforms AU and NZ maps available

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $690 per user per month with an Office 365 subscription Free limited version available

What it does Microsoft Teams is a cross device communication platform that facilitates instant messaging and phonevideo calls Integrates with all Microsoft programs and has many productivity plugins

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $16499 per user per year Free limited version available

What it does Canva is an online graphic design and video editing platform for creating social media and marketing collateral Facilitates social media posting

Microsoft Teams

In todayrsquos modern world change is a daily occurrence and requires a lot of energy and attention to keep up with However this is a struggle that we all have in common So how do we approach this daily task and how do we gauge the impact of not keeping up with the Joneses

Digital transformation is about the integration of technology in all aspects of your business by introducing new processes that ease your workload automate systems provide better customer satisfaction increase productivity and efficiency and the overall result of higher value for your customers

Donrsquot be alarmed about change in this area do your research work with your team and Think Water to achieve success together At Think Water you are part of a network who share experiences and ideas which means NSO or a fellow Member will have a solution to your problem

Following are six ideas to assist with preparation for your digital transformation journey

1 Check your current processes

Audit your processes to work out what areas can be improved or automated There really isnrsquot any point in fixing something that isnrsquot broken but you may discover that a simple tweak can make the process more efficient

2 Shop around

When it comes to software there are usually many programs that are similar and do the same task You may find one does one thing and another does something that suits your busines better A good example of this is project management software there are many different programs such as Mondaycom Trello Teamwork and Microsoft Project

3 Talk to your peers and staff

They may have come across a similiar issue and implemented a solution to solve it already This will save you a lot of ground work and you might have an inside support person

4 Do your research

Cutting edge is bleeding edge so it is essential that you do the research and understand the impact of the digital upgrade before implementing it Also utilise software packages that integrate with other systems easily that way your work flow wonrsquot be interrupted

5 Match the process to your hardware

Understand that upgrading software and implementing digital solutions can put additional strain on current hardware You may find that you need to upgrade computers and devices to make the most out of new software and this can be a costly task

6 Plan your changes

Choose your time wisely it really isnrsquot a good idea to implement a complete new software package or process during they busiest time of the year Also when you plan the change you can notify all staff and get everyone on board before you start which will help to keep things running smoothly

4 THINK TANK | April 2021

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Free

What it does IrriSAT is an online weather based irrigation scheduling service which is used to inform farmers how much water their crop has used and how much irrigation they need to apply

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $20 per month

What it does Loopy Loyalty is an online platform that allows you to create a loyalty program for your customers The system is easy to use and can be custom branded to your business

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $15 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Grammarly is a software plugin that highlights spelling and grammar mistakes when installed on your device Intergrates with word processing and email software on all devices

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $1250 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Trello is a cloud based project management tool that allows you to assign jobs track progress automate and more It can be accessed on any device and integrates with many other software including Microsoft Teams

IrriSAT

Now that you have a few ideas to get started letrsquos look at some areas that can be improved by digital transformation

Sales Wouldnrsquot it be great to have software that kept track of your stock levels talked to your accountant and was controllable from one place Well take the time to check out H2GO the sales software custom designed for Think Water businesses itrsquos a great place to start when digitising your business

H2GO is continually developed and evolved for Think Water Members you can read more about it on page 19

Human ResourcesHow do you keep track of your staff and their details How do you handle policies Why not talk to NSO about an online HR platform that integrates with your accounting software and keeps you updated on the latest legislation while keeping track of your staff details

CommunicationCommunication is the key to all relationships whether itrsquos your team or your customers getting it right is essential How are your internal phone systems looking Is there a contact point for every staff member How do your customers reach you Do you have message bank or an answering service How do customers contact you after hours

There are a number of software platforms that offer a solution for communication such as WhatsApp Teams Slack and Skype Improving communication within your team will have a positive impact on your customers At NSO we use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool why not have a chat with us to see how it improves our work flow

Transport TrackingHow do you keep track of the vehicles within your business Do you still use the good old log book in the glove box Paper records are a simple way to manage things but they can get lost very easily Take a look at vehicle tracking software that uses GPS to provide accurate details on when and where your vehicles are These can be as simple as a GPS device in the vehicle or an app on a mobile phone

MarketingPreviously marketing was limited to press adverts billboards radio television direct mail or signage These days digital marketing enables us to get our brand in front of more customers more often and sometimes at a cheaper price

There are many cloud based apps to assist with digital artwork including Canva and Adobe Spark You can also use tools like MailChimp to send electronic mail and Google Analytics to track customer actions

Talk to the Marketing Coordinator at NSO for assistance with digitising your marketing

Customer Relations With so many customer requests on the go at any given time it can be a real challenge to keep up with what is happening By using a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) you and your team can easily be across all customers comings and goings

There are hundreds of CRM packages on the market including HubSpot Zoho Pipedrive Salesforce and more We recommend choosing one that integrates with existing software

Stationery ExpensesPens paper receipt books and printer inktoner all cost money Imagine the savings from running a paper free office Not to mention the benefits for the environment By using devices and software such as iPads and digital forms you can reduce the environmental footprint of your business and the cost of consumables

So now you have some great ideas and tips on how you can start the digital transformation of your business Take your time plan your journey and remember there isnrsquot any need to reinvent the wheel talk to the team at NSO to discover the best tool for your challenge

5April 2021 | THINK TANK

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

daveywatercom

Whether yoursquore enjoying a shower after a long day doing your laundry and watering your garden all at the same time you need reliable constant water pressure Pre-assembled as a daisy chain DynaDrive can now handle double the demand with double the flow rate Perfect pressure when you need it Talk to your local Davey Dealer today to find out more

NOW AVAILABLE as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps Unit pictured is for illustration purposes only

Actual installation may vary

Protecting and enhancing peoplersquos lives with water Since 1934

Simple control Perfect pressureDavey DynaDriveConstant Pressure System

ENERGY EFFICIENT

SET amp FORGET

QUIET OPERATION

INDUSTRIAL QUALITY

2020 was a year we will all remember and talk about with the coming generations for all sorts of reasons

While the rapid changes technology has forced change upon us for most of our lives we have never experienced the acceleration of the digital world like 2020 the year Covid19 hit In a year where shops shut entire businesses worked from home and the ability to travel freely disappeared even the most technologically challenged were forced into the digital world

The Think Water family already well entrenched in the digital world accelerated our use in 2020 With travel restricted the national support office switched our Preferred Supplier and Member operational meetings to video meetings using Microsoft Teams and Zoom becoming the new way to communicate

Online meetings have increased our efficiencies and given us the format for our most successful Annual General Meeting with 24 attendees and a list of resolutions passed that strengthen our unique MemberndashShareholder ownership structure

We continued our digital development releasing new Think Water New Zealand and Australia websites and personalised microsites for each Think Water Member

The new microsites work in conjunction with individual Google my Business and social media profiles to ensure the Think Water digital footprint continues to grow

In 2021 we are continuing our digital investment with increased search engine optimisation and improvements to the educational content on our national websites and microsites

With goals for our digital footprint set we now have the digital analytics to work with each Think Water Member and ensure their presence in the digital world is growing and is utilised as effectively as possible

So while 2020 was the year that forced plenty of change into our business world it was also the year that proved Think Water is prepared for the changes that lie ahead This issue of Think Tank focusrsquos on working in a digital world We hope you enjoy the read

Tony France General Manager

THINK TANK is a Publication of Think Water National Support Office

Contributors Tony France Liesle Corns Aimee Hewson Natalie Kingcott Robyn Anderson Andrew Walker Chris Rehm and Phil Best

YOUR

LOC

AL WATER EXPER

TS

ContentsLetrsquos get digital 4

Save the date 6

Success for the Think Water Academy 8

Welcome to the family 10

Gold in data 12

A holistic training solution 13

Upgrading to increase effeciency within our business 14

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure 15

Five steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business 16

Welcome to the team Mark Allan 18

Could this be the update your business needs 19

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing 21

Who we are is how we work 22

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings 23

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair 24

The all-in-one rainwater filtration solution 25

Crusader Hose commits to the irrigation industry 26

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as daisy chain27

Brand evolution 28

Worldrsquos first insect resistant drip tape 29

Tempustm DC kits30

All the right parts in one great value bundle 30

Time and money saving valve solutions 31

Pattern approved water meters 32

Six reasons to install a solar pumping system 33

Dripper comparison 34

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality 35

Dust control in agriculture 36

3April 2021 | THINK TANK

OPPORTUNITY

CLOUDCOMPUTING

INTERNET

TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION

DIGITALSERVICES

Letrsquos get digital

App and software solutions to increase productivity in your business

Device Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $3 per user per month Free seven day trial

What it does Deputy is a mobile app that gives you the ability to manage employee rosters recordtrack time and swap shifts Integrates with many accounting software platforms

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $60 per month

What it does NearMap is cloud based software that provides high-resolution up-to-date scaleable aeiral photos Integrates with many GIS and CAD software platforms AU and NZ maps available

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $690 per user per month with an Office 365 subscription Free limited version available

What it does Microsoft Teams is a cross device communication platform that facilitates instant messaging and phonevideo calls Integrates with all Microsoft programs and has many productivity plugins

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $16499 per user per year Free limited version available

What it does Canva is an online graphic design and video editing platform for creating social media and marketing collateral Facilitates social media posting

Microsoft Teams

In todayrsquos modern world change is a daily occurrence and requires a lot of energy and attention to keep up with However this is a struggle that we all have in common So how do we approach this daily task and how do we gauge the impact of not keeping up with the Joneses

Digital transformation is about the integration of technology in all aspects of your business by introducing new processes that ease your workload automate systems provide better customer satisfaction increase productivity and efficiency and the overall result of higher value for your customers

Donrsquot be alarmed about change in this area do your research work with your team and Think Water to achieve success together At Think Water you are part of a network who share experiences and ideas which means NSO or a fellow Member will have a solution to your problem

Following are six ideas to assist with preparation for your digital transformation journey

1 Check your current processes

Audit your processes to work out what areas can be improved or automated There really isnrsquot any point in fixing something that isnrsquot broken but you may discover that a simple tweak can make the process more efficient

2 Shop around

When it comes to software there are usually many programs that are similar and do the same task You may find one does one thing and another does something that suits your busines better A good example of this is project management software there are many different programs such as Mondaycom Trello Teamwork and Microsoft Project

3 Talk to your peers and staff

They may have come across a similiar issue and implemented a solution to solve it already This will save you a lot of ground work and you might have an inside support person

4 Do your research

Cutting edge is bleeding edge so it is essential that you do the research and understand the impact of the digital upgrade before implementing it Also utilise software packages that integrate with other systems easily that way your work flow wonrsquot be interrupted

5 Match the process to your hardware

Understand that upgrading software and implementing digital solutions can put additional strain on current hardware You may find that you need to upgrade computers and devices to make the most out of new software and this can be a costly task

6 Plan your changes

Choose your time wisely it really isnrsquot a good idea to implement a complete new software package or process during they busiest time of the year Also when you plan the change you can notify all staff and get everyone on board before you start which will help to keep things running smoothly

4 THINK TANK | April 2021

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Free

What it does IrriSAT is an online weather based irrigation scheduling service which is used to inform farmers how much water their crop has used and how much irrigation they need to apply

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $20 per month

What it does Loopy Loyalty is an online platform that allows you to create a loyalty program for your customers The system is easy to use and can be custom branded to your business

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $15 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Grammarly is a software plugin that highlights spelling and grammar mistakes when installed on your device Intergrates with word processing and email software on all devices

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $1250 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Trello is a cloud based project management tool that allows you to assign jobs track progress automate and more It can be accessed on any device and integrates with many other software including Microsoft Teams

IrriSAT

Now that you have a few ideas to get started letrsquos look at some areas that can be improved by digital transformation

Sales Wouldnrsquot it be great to have software that kept track of your stock levels talked to your accountant and was controllable from one place Well take the time to check out H2GO the sales software custom designed for Think Water businesses itrsquos a great place to start when digitising your business

H2GO is continually developed and evolved for Think Water Members you can read more about it on page 19

Human ResourcesHow do you keep track of your staff and their details How do you handle policies Why not talk to NSO about an online HR platform that integrates with your accounting software and keeps you updated on the latest legislation while keeping track of your staff details

CommunicationCommunication is the key to all relationships whether itrsquos your team or your customers getting it right is essential How are your internal phone systems looking Is there a contact point for every staff member How do your customers reach you Do you have message bank or an answering service How do customers contact you after hours

There are a number of software platforms that offer a solution for communication such as WhatsApp Teams Slack and Skype Improving communication within your team will have a positive impact on your customers At NSO we use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool why not have a chat with us to see how it improves our work flow

Transport TrackingHow do you keep track of the vehicles within your business Do you still use the good old log book in the glove box Paper records are a simple way to manage things but they can get lost very easily Take a look at vehicle tracking software that uses GPS to provide accurate details on when and where your vehicles are These can be as simple as a GPS device in the vehicle or an app on a mobile phone

MarketingPreviously marketing was limited to press adverts billboards radio television direct mail or signage These days digital marketing enables us to get our brand in front of more customers more often and sometimes at a cheaper price

There are many cloud based apps to assist with digital artwork including Canva and Adobe Spark You can also use tools like MailChimp to send electronic mail and Google Analytics to track customer actions

Talk to the Marketing Coordinator at NSO for assistance with digitising your marketing

Customer Relations With so many customer requests on the go at any given time it can be a real challenge to keep up with what is happening By using a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) you and your team can easily be across all customers comings and goings

There are hundreds of CRM packages on the market including HubSpot Zoho Pipedrive Salesforce and more We recommend choosing one that integrates with existing software

Stationery ExpensesPens paper receipt books and printer inktoner all cost money Imagine the savings from running a paper free office Not to mention the benefits for the environment By using devices and software such as iPads and digital forms you can reduce the environmental footprint of your business and the cost of consumables

So now you have some great ideas and tips on how you can start the digital transformation of your business Take your time plan your journey and remember there isnrsquot any need to reinvent the wheel talk to the team at NSO to discover the best tool for your challenge

5April 2021 | THINK TANK

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

2020 was a year we will all remember and talk about with the coming generations for all sorts of reasons

While the rapid changes technology has forced change upon us for most of our lives we have never experienced the acceleration of the digital world like 2020 the year Covid19 hit In a year where shops shut entire businesses worked from home and the ability to travel freely disappeared even the most technologically challenged were forced into the digital world

The Think Water family already well entrenched in the digital world accelerated our use in 2020 With travel restricted the national support office switched our Preferred Supplier and Member operational meetings to video meetings using Microsoft Teams and Zoom becoming the new way to communicate

Online meetings have increased our efficiencies and given us the format for our most successful Annual General Meeting with 24 attendees and a list of resolutions passed that strengthen our unique MemberndashShareholder ownership structure

We continued our digital development releasing new Think Water New Zealand and Australia websites and personalised microsites for each Think Water Member

The new microsites work in conjunction with individual Google my Business and social media profiles to ensure the Think Water digital footprint continues to grow

In 2021 we are continuing our digital investment with increased search engine optimisation and improvements to the educational content on our national websites and microsites

With goals for our digital footprint set we now have the digital analytics to work with each Think Water Member and ensure their presence in the digital world is growing and is utilised as effectively as possible

So while 2020 was the year that forced plenty of change into our business world it was also the year that proved Think Water is prepared for the changes that lie ahead This issue of Think Tank focusrsquos on working in a digital world We hope you enjoy the read

Tony France General Manager

THINK TANK is a Publication of Think Water National Support Office

Contributors Tony France Liesle Corns Aimee Hewson Natalie Kingcott Robyn Anderson Andrew Walker Chris Rehm and Phil Best

YOUR

LOC

AL WATER EXPER

TS

ContentsLetrsquos get digital 4

Save the date 6

Success for the Think Water Academy 8

Welcome to the family 10

Gold in data 12

A holistic training solution 13

Upgrading to increase effeciency within our business 14

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure 15

Five steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business 16

Welcome to the team Mark Allan 18

Could this be the update your business needs 19

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing 21

Who we are is how we work 22

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings 23

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair 24

The all-in-one rainwater filtration solution 25

Crusader Hose commits to the irrigation industry 26

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as daisy chain27

Brand evolution 28

Worldrsquos first insect resistant drip tape 29

Tempustm DC kits30

All the right parts in one great value bundle 30

Time and money saving valve solutions 31

Pattern approved water meters 32

Six reasons to install a solar pumping system 33

Dripper comparison 34

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality 35

Dust control in agriculture 36

3April 2021 | THINK TANK

OPPORTUNITY

CLOUDCOMPUTING

INTERNET

TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION

DIGITALSERVICES

Letrsquos get digital

App and software solutions to increase productivity in your business

Device Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $3 per user per month Free seven day trial

What it does Deputy is a mobile app that gives you the ability to manage employee rosters recordtrack time and swap shifts Integrates with many accounting software platforms

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $60 per month

What it does NearMap is cloud based software that provides high-resolution up-to-date scaleable aeiral photos Integrates with many GIS and CAD software platforms AU and NZ maps available

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $690 per user per month with an Office 365 subscription Free limited version available

What it does Microsoft Teams is a cross device communication platform that facilitates instant messaging and phonevideo calls Integrates with all Microsoft programs and has many productivity plugins

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $16499 per user per year Free limited version available

What it does Canva is an online graphic design and video editing platform for creating social media and marketing collateral Facilitates social media posting

Microsoft Teams

In todayrsquos modern world change is a daily occurrence and requires a lot of energy and attention to keep up with However this is a struggle that we all have in common So how do we approach this daily task and how do we gauge the impact of not keeping up with the Joneses

Digital transformation is about the integration of technology in all aspects of your business by introducing new processes that ease your workload automate systems provide better customer satisfaction increase productivity and efficiency and the overall result of higher value for your customers

Donrsquot be alarmed about change in this area do your research work with your team and Think Water to achieve success together At Think Water you are part of a network who share experiences and ideas which means NSO or a fellow Member will have a solution to your problem

Following are six ideas to assist with preparation for your digital transformation journey

1 Check your current processes

Audit your processes to work out what areas can be improved or automated There really isnrsquot any point in fixing something that isnrsquot broken but you may discover that a simple tweak can make the process more efficient

2 Shop around

When it comes to software there are usually many programs that are similar and do the same task You may find one does one thing and another does something that suits your busines better A good example of this is project management software there are many different programs such as Mondaycom Trello Teamwork and Microsoft Project

3 Talk to your peers and staff

They may have come across a similiar issue and implemented a solution to solve it already This will save you a lot of ground work and you might have an inside support person

4 Do your research

Cutting edge is bleeding edge so it is essential that you do the research and understand the impact of the digital upgrade before implementing it Also utilise software packages that integrate with other systems easily that way your work flow wonrsquot be interrupted

5 Match the process to your hardware

Understand that upgrading software and implementing digital solutions can put additional strain on current hardware You may find that you need to upgrade computers and devices to make the most out of new software and this can be a costly task

6 Plan your changes

Choose your time wisely it really isnrsquot a good idea to implement a complete new software package or process during they busiest time of the year Also when you plan the change you can notify all staff and get everyone on board before you start which will help to keep things running smoothly

4 THINK TANK | April 2021

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Free

What it does IrriSAT is an online weather based irrigation scheduling service which is used to inform farmers how much water their crop has used and how much irrigation they need to apply

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $20 per month

What it does Loopy Loyalty is an online platform that allows you to create a loyalty program for your customers The system is easy to use and can be custom branded to your business

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $15 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Grammarly is a software plugin that highlights spelling and grammar mistakes when installed on your device Intergrates with word processing and email software on all devices

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $1250 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Trello is a cloud based project management tool that allows you to assign jobs track progress automate and more It can be accessed on any device and integrates with many other software including Microsoft Teams

IrriSAT

Now that you have a few ideas to get started letrsquos look at some areas that can be improved by digital transformation

Sales Wouldnrsquot it be great to have software that kept track of your stock levels talked to your accountant and was controllable from one place Well take the time to check out H2GO the sales software custom designed for Think Water businesses itrsquos a great place to start when digitising your business

H2GO is continually developed and evolved for Think Water Members you can read more about it on page 19

Human ResourcesHow do you keep track of your staff and their details How do you handle policies Why not talk to NSO about an online HR platform that integrates with your accounting software and keeps you updated on the latest legislation while keeping track of your staff details

CommunicationCommunication is the key to all relationships whether itrsquos your team or your customers getting it right is essential How are your internal phone systems looking Is there a contact point for every staff member How do your customers reach you Do you have message bank or an answering service How do customers contact you after hours

There are a number of software platforms that offer a solution for communication such as WhatsApp Teams Slack and Skype Improving communication within your team will have a positive impact on your customers At NSO we use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool why not have a chat with us to see how it improves our work flow

Transport TrackingHow do you keep track of the vehicles within your business Do you still use the good old log book in the glove box Paper records are a simple way to manage things but they can get lost very easily Take a look at vehicle tracking software that uses GPS to provide accurate details on when and where your vehicles are These can be as simple as a GPS device in the vehicle or an app on a mobile phone

MarketingPreviously marketing was limited to press adverts billboards radio television direct mail or signage These days digital marketing enables us to get our brand in front of more customers more often and sometimes at a cheaper price

There are many cloud based apps to assist with digital artwork including Canva and Adobe Spark You can also use tools like MailChimp to send electronic mail and Google Analytics to track customer actions

Talk to the Marketing Coordinator at NSO for assistance with digitising your marketing

Customer Relations With so many customer requests on the go at any given time it can be a real challenge to keep up with what is happening By using a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) you and your team can easily be across all customers comings and goings

There are hundreds of CRM packages on the market including HubSpot Zoho Pipedrive Salesforce and more We recommend choosing one that integrates with existing software

Stationery ExpensesPens paper receipt books and printer inktoner all cost money Imagine the savings from running a paper free office Not to mention the benefits for the environment By using devices and software such as iPads and digital forms you can reduce the environmental footprint of your business and the cost of consumables

So now you have some great ideas and tips on how you can start the digital transformation of your business Take your time plan your journey and remember there isnrsquot any need to reinvent the wheel talk to the team at NSO to discover the best tool for your challenge

5April 2021 | THINK TANK

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

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FILTRATION

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SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

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RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

OPPORTUNITY

CLOUDCOMPUTING

INTERNET

TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION

DIGITALSERVICES

Letrsquos get digital

App and software solutions to increase productivity in your business

Device Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $3 per user per month Free seven day trial

What it does Deputy is a mobile app that gives you the ability to manage employee rosters recordtrack time and swap shifts Integrates with many accounting software platforms

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $60 per month

What it does NearMap is cloud based software that provides high-resolution up-to-date scaleable aeiral photos Integrates with many GIS and CAD software platforms AU and NZ maps available

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $690 per user per month with an Office 365 subscription Free limited version available

What it does Microsoft Teams is a cross device communication platform that facilitates instant messaging and phonevideo calls Integrates with all Microsoft programs and has many productivity plugins

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $16499 per user per year Free limited version available

What it does Canva is an online graphic design and video editing platform for creating social media and marketing collateral Facilitates social media posting

Microsoft Teams

In todayrsquos modern world change is a daily occurrence and requires a lot of energy and attention to keep up with However this is a struggle that we all have in common So how do we approach this daily task and how do we gauge the impact of not keeping up with the Joneses

Digital transformation is about the integration of technology in all aspects of your business by introducing new processes that ease your workload automate systems provide better customer satisfaction increase productivity and efficiency and the overall result of higher value for your customers

Donrsquot be alarmed about change in this area do your research work with your team and Think Water to achieve success together At Think Water you are part of a network who share experiences and ideas which means NSO or a fellow Member will have a solution to your problem

Following are six ideas to assist with preparation for your digital transformation journey

1 Check your current processes

Audit your processes to work out what areas can be improved or automated There really isnrsquot any point in fixing something that isnrsquot broken but you may discover that a simple tweak can make the process more efficient

2 Shop around

When it comes to software there are usually many programs that are similar and do the same task You may find one does one thing and another does something that suits your busines better A good example of this is project management software there are many different programs such as Mondaycom Trello Teamwork and Microsoft Project

3 Talk to your peers and staff

They may have come across a similiar issue and implemented a solution to solve it already This will save you a lot of ground work and you might have an inside support person

4 Do your research

Cutting edge is bleeding edge so it is essential that you do the research and understand the impact of the digital upgrade before implementing it Also utilise software packages that integrate with other systems easily that way your work flow wonrsquot be interrupted

5 Match the process to your hardware

Understand that upgrading software and implementing digital solutions can put additional strain on current hardware You may find that you need to upgrade computers and devices to make the most out of new software and this can be a costly task

6 Plan your changes

Choose your time wisely it really isnrsquot a good idea to implement a complete new software package or process during they busiest time of the year Also when you plan the change you can notify all staff and get everyone on board before you start which will help to keep things running smoothly

4 THINK TANK | April 2021

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Free

What it does IrriSAT is an online weather based irrigation scheduling service which is used to inform farmers how much water their crop has used and how much irrigation they need to apply

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $20 per month

What it does Loopy Loyalty is an online platform that allows you to create a loyalty program for your customers The system is easy to use and can be custom branded to your business

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $15 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Grammarly is a software plugin that highlights spelling and grammar mistakes when installed on your device Intergrates with word processing and email software on all devices

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $1250 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Trello is a cloud based project management tool that allows you to assign jobs track progress automate and more It can be accessed on any device and integrates with many other software including Microsoft Teams

IrriSAT

Now that you have a few ideas to get started letrsquos look at some areas that can be improved by digital transformation

Sales Wouldnrsquot it be great to have software that kept track of your stock levels talked to your accountant and was controllable from one place Well take the time to check out H2GO the sales software custom designed for Think Water businesses itrsquos a great place to start when digitising your business

H2GO is continually developed and evolved for Think Water Members you can read more about it on page 19

Human ResourcesHow do you keep track of your staff and their details How do you handle policies Why not talk to NSO about an online HR platform that integrates with your accounting software and keeps you updated on the latest legislation while keeping track of your staff details

CommunicationCommunication is the key to all relationships whether itrsquos your team or your customers getting it right is essential How are your internal phone systems looking Is there a contact point for every staff member How do your customers reach you Do you have message bank or an answering service How do customers contact you after hours

There are a number of software platforms that offer a solution for communication such as WhatsApp Teams Slack and Skype Improving communication within your team will have a positive impact on your customers At NSO we use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool why not have a chat with us to see how it improves our work flow

Transport TrackingHow do you keep track of the vehicles within your business Do you still use the good old log book in the glove box Paper records are a simple way to manage things but they can get lost very easily Take a look at vehicle tracking software that uses GPS to provide accurate details on when and where your vehicles are These can be as simple as a GPS device in the vehicle or an app on a mobile phone

MarketingPreviously marketing was limited to press adverts billboards radio television direct mail or signage These days digital marketing enables us to get our brand in front of more customers more often and sometimes at a cheaper price

There are many cloud based apps to assist with digital artwork including Canva and Adobe Spark You can also use tools like MailChimp to send electronic mail and Google Analytics to track customer actions

Talk to the Marketing Coordinator at NSO for assistance with digitising your marketing

Customer Relations With so many customer requests on the go at any given time it can be a real challenge to keep up with what is happening By using a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) you and your team can easily be across all customers comings and goings

There are hundreds of CRM packages on the market including HubSpot Zoho Pipedrive Salesforce and more We recommend choosing one that integrates with existing software

Stationery ExpensesPens paper receipt books and printer inktoner all cost money Imagine the savings from running a paper free office Not to mention the benefits for the environment By using devices and software such as iPads and digital forms you can reduce the environmental footprint of your business and the cost of consumables

So now you have some great ideas and tips on how you can start the digital transformation of your business Take your time plan your journey and remember there isnrsquot any need to reinvent the wheel talk to the team at NSO to discover the best tool for your challenge

5April 2021 | THINK TANK

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Free

What it does IrriSAT is an online weather based irrigation scheduling service which is used to inform farmers how much water their crop has used and how much irrigation they need to apply

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost Starts at $20 per month

What it does Loopy Loyalty is an online platform that allows you to create a loyalty program for your customers The system is easy to use and can be custom branded to your business

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $15 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Grammarly is a software plugin that highlights spelling and grammar mistakes when installed on your device Intergrates with word processing and email software on all devices

Device PC Tablet Mobile

Cost From $1250 per user per month Free limited version available

What it does Trello is a cloud based project management tool that allows you to assign jobs track progress automate and more It can be accessed on any device and integrates with many other software including Microsoft Teams

IrriSAT

Now that you have a few ideas to get started letrsquos look at some areas that can be improved by digital transformation

Sales Wouldnrsquot it be great to have software that kept track of your stock levels talked to your accountant and was controllable from one place Well take the time to check out H2GO the sales software custom designed for Think Water businesses itrsquos a great place to start when digitising your business

H2GO is continually developed and evolved for Think Water Members you can read more about it on page 19

Human ResourcesHow do you keep track of your staff and their details How do you handle policies Why not talk to NSO about an online HR platform that integrates with your accounting software and keeps you updated on the latest legislation while keeping track of your staff details

CommunicationCommunication is the key to all relationships whether itrsquos your team or your customers getting it right is essential How are your internal phone systems looking Is there a contact point for every staff member How do your customers reach you Do you have message bank or an answering service How do customers contact you after hours

There are a number of software platforms that offer a solution for communication such as WhatsApp Teams Slack and Skype Improving communication within your team will have a positive impact on your customers At NSO we use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool why not have a chat with us to see how it improves our work flow

Transport TrackingHow do you keep track of the vehicles within your business Do you still use the good old log book in the glove box Paper records are a simple way to manage things but they can get lost very easily Take a look at vehicle tracking software that uses GPS to provide accurate details on when and where your vehicles are These can be as simple as a GPS device in the vehicle or an app on a mobile phone

MarketingPreviously marketing was limited to press adverts billboards radio television direct mail or signage These days digital marketing enables us to get our brand in front of more customers more often and sometimes at a cheaper price

There are many cloud based apps to assist with digital artwork including Canva and Adobe Spark You can also use tools like MailChimp to send electronic mail and Google Analytics to track customer actions

Talk to the Marketing Coordinator at NSO for assistance with digitising your marketing

Customer Relations With so many customer requests on the go at any given time it can be a real challenge to keep up with what is happening By using a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) you and your team can easily be across all customers comings and goings

There are hundreds of CRM packages on the market including HubSpot Zoho Pipedrive Salesforce and more We recommend choosing one that integrates with existing software

Stationery ExpensesPens paper receipt books and printer inktoner all cost money Imagine the savings from running a paper free office Not to mention the benefits for the environment By using devices and software such as iPads and digital forms you can reduce the environmental footprint of your business and the cost of consumables

So now you have some great ideas and tips on how you can start the digital transformation of your business Take your time plan your journey and remember there isnrsquot any need to reinvent the wheel talk to the team at NSO to discover the best tool for your challenge

5April 2021 | THINK TANK

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

With travel restrictions still somewhat uncertain between Australia and New Zealand we are working on a plan to ensure this yearsrsquo conference will be going ahead

Please save the following dates in your calendar to avoid missing out

Further information and agenda will be released to all Members and Preferred Suppliers after 1 June 2021

Cairns Australia

5 to 8 August 2021

Queenstown New Zealand

29 July 2021 to 1 August 2021

2021 Think Water Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Custom Designed ERP Software Allowing

you to Regain Control of Your Business

Click here or talk to your Operations Manager for more information

6 THINK TANK | April 2021

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

LINE

0800 353 966 | wwwaquaspecconzOur range of manual disc filtration with the patentedAZUD HELIX guarantees maximum filtration safety

OPTIMISES

FILTRATION

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABLE RECYCLABLE AND STYLISH

Phone 027 328 5191 wwwdesignertanksconz

RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANKS

Choose from a wide variety ofbull TANKSbull DOWNPIPE DIVERTERSbull TAPS amp ACCESSORIES

The Choice Is Clear

PUMPS FILTERS CHLORINATORS LIGHTS AUTOMATION CHEMICALSCLEANERS

wwwhydroflowconzordershydroflowconz

For more information on this product visit hydroflowconz or scan the qr code

The TankBuddy draws clean water from the top of the tank reducing the risk of drawing contimated water

APEX TANK BUDDYFloating Tank Inlet

1800 281 282 | wwwmatelecaustral iacomau

COMPLETEPUMP amp MOTORCONTROL SOLUTIONSCONCEPT gt DESIGN gt MANUFACTURE gt APPLICATION READY

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

The Think Water Academy is back After eighteen months of planning and locking in dates then cancelling or changing them due to travel restrictions and snap lock downs we eventually got the Academy up and running with it kicking off in early March 2021

This years Think Water Academy had a total of 13 students enrolled from various stores throughout Australia and New Zealand and two students from New Zealand Preferred Supplier Hydroflow

We are also excited to announce that eight of these students have signed up to complete the newly released full Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (AHC32419) Trade

There are many good reasons for providing training to our Members and their teams they including

bull Improved employee performance

bull addressing weaknesses and turning them into strengths

bull increased productivity and

bull reduced employee turnover

The new Think Water Academy has been specifically tailored to our Members business needs and has relevance back to the Certificate III competencies The Academy training includes a specific focus on key areas such as water treatment soil analysis and types irrigation design pumps and hydraulics

Enrolling in the full Certificate III will give students training in areas such as electrofusion and butt welding travelling irrigators mains water connection for irrigation and electrical connectdisconnect

Why the changeThere has been a major ldquoshiftrdquo away from the ldquosupplierrdquo training format to the new competency based format This was driven by the introduction of the new Certificate III trade the registered training organisation the Irrigation Association of Australia and the needs of our Members

The old format although it was full of great content and trainers it did not really provide our Members or the trainees with anything concrete to hang their hats on Yes they

learnt but what formal qualifications did they gain The new format contains certified modules that go towards gaining federally recognised competencies in key areas of our industry and markets Ultimately the NSO and our Members agreed that there is no point or value investing a large amount of funds into non-competency-based training

We all know that the industry is aging throughout Australia and New Zealand and how hard it is attracting and retaining good people Now is the time to encourage our people to stay in the industry and develop into the next generation of Think Water business owners

In support of this evolution we recognise the need to have a solid foundation in place for our training solutions that covers the NSO and our Members

For more information about the Academy contact Chris directly or check out the training section of the Members Portal

Success for the Think Water Academy

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

infomaitcomauPh 1300 739 920

Weather station

Valve control amp soil monitoring

Pump monitoring amp control

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER WITH iNTELLiTROLreg

Valve control amp soil monitoring

8 THINK TANK | April 2021

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES

NEW HOME amp GARDEN RANGE BROCHURE

Our NEW Home amp Garden Range brochure contains sizing and

selection information about our full range of domestic water supply

wastewater amp drainage and hot water amp heating products

NEW HOME amp GARDEN A4 FLYERS

bull Inverter technology delivers perfect pressure to all taps

bull Suitable for pumping from water sources above and below

the level of the pump including from below ground tanks

bull Intelligent controller allows for pressure adjustment at the

touch of a button

bull Very quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your

family or neighbours

bull Tough weather resistant outer casing houses the pump

motor and the controller

bull Easy installation ndash plug amp pump ndash Simply connect to the

pipework prime the pump plug into a power outlet and

yoursquore ready to pump

SCALA22

YEARWARRANTY

ALL-IN-ONE SELF-PRIMING BOOSTER

WITH INVERTER TECHNOLOGY

DRY-RUN PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped if no

water is detected at the inlet

preventing internal damage

and protecting your motor

from damage

ANTI-CYCLING

PROTECTION

The pump will be stopped and

alarm activated if it repeatedly

turns on and off over a short

period of time (called lsquocyclingrsquo)

which could indicate a leaking

pipe or dripping tap

AUTO STARTSTOP

The pump will automatically

start and stop when outlets

(eg taps) are turned on or off

GRUNDFOS EYE

Provides dynamic pump status

operator feedback such as

power on pump running and

any alarms or faults

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

Above

Pump Level

Below

Pump Level

Mains

Water

Household

WaterIrrigation

Mains

Boosting

WATER SOURCEAPPLICATION

47 dB Max LOW NOISE

Subject to local legislation

bull Includes float switch for automatic operation

and dry run protection

bull Virtually silent submerged operation that

wonrsquot that wonrsquot disturb your family or

neighbours

bull Easy submerged installation ndash plug amp pump

Connect to the pipework plug into a power

outlet and yoursquore ready to pump

bull Suitable for submerged pumping from

water sources above or below ground level

SB2

YEARWARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE BOOSTER

PUMP CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

WATER SOURCE APPLICATION

25 dB Max LOW NOISE

Household Water

Irrigation

Above Pump Level

Below Pump Level

SB-A with float switch

SB-AW with floating suction strainer and float switch

FLOAT SWITCH

External float that

turns your pump

on or off based

on the water level

- this prevents dry-running

CURRENT OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically if

a current overload event

occurs and will restart

once normal current is

restored - protecting

your motor from damage

THERMAL OVERLOAD

PROTECTION

The single phase motor

will stop automatically

if it overheats and will

restart once it cools

down - protecting your

motor from damage

bull Able to pump down to just 3 mm of water making it perfect for emptying pools ponds wells or tanks

bull Suitable for fully or partially submerged use

bull High quality composite and stainless steel construction

bull Suitable for permanent installation or as a light weight portable pump

UNILIFT CC 2 YEAR

WARRANTY

SUBMERSIBLE DRAINAGE PUMP

CONTROL amp PROTECTION FEATURES

APPLICATIONWATER SOURCE

Clean Water Drainage

StormGrey Water HandlingClean Water Storm

Grey Water

FLOAT SWITCHExternal float that either turns your pump on or off based on the water level - this prevents overflowing and dry-running

SELF-COOLING MOTORThe pump is cooled by water being pumped protecting it

from overheating even when only partially submerged

MAXIMUM PARTICLE SIZE

Itrsquos a good idea to check your water source to make sure it doesnrsquot contain dirt fibres plant or other material larger than 10 mm If it does you might need a drainage pump capable of handling larger particle sizes like the onersquos below

10 mm

AP 1212

mm

AP 35 amp AP 35B35 mm

AP 50 amp AP 50B50 mm

bull Increased hot water pressure for a single outlet

bull Hygienic stainless steel construction throughout

bull Built-in controller so no extra wiring required keeping installation costs low

bull Ultra quiet operation that wonrsquot disturb your family

bull Option of automatic or manual operation

UPA N2 YEARWARRANTY

HOT WATER PRESSURE BOOSTERWATER SOURCE

APPLICATION

Hot Water

FIND SPACE FOR YOUR PUMPThe UPA N range has been designed to fit into confined spaces

See below the space required for installation

Mains Boosting

Model Pipe Connections Dimensions (mm)

A (Port to Port) B (h) C (w1) D (w2) E (d1) F (d2)

UPA N 15-9034rdquo

214160

5054

10323

AB

C DEF

Introducing our NEW A4 Product Flyers for each product

within our home and garden range These flyers focus on equipping the consumer with what they

need-to-know about a pump range

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONLINE VERSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CM BOOSTER SELF-PRIMING FLYER

For more information about our new range of materials email marketing-augrundfoscom

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

The future in remote monitoring Yabby Sensors are an Australian-owned company specialising in technology supported complete water management solutions Their remote monitoring solutions provide data for asset tracking environmental monitoring irrigation control and level sensors for the agricultural and resource market sectors

Australian Made for the Australian Climate MATelec has more than 45 years of experience manufacturing pumpmotor control products and electrical accessories Their product range is vast and includes pump controllers motor controllers circulation controllers soft starters power distribution boards level alarms electrical accessories and more

High quality portable powered products Crommelins Machinery offers consistent strong and high-quality service and product support Their product range includes generators compacting and concreting tools cutting and drilling tools pressure cleaners pumps flooring tools ground care tools air equipment engines and general trade tools

Welcome to the familyThink Water Members benefit from partnerships with several industry-leading manufacturers and distributors

These companies are our Preferred Suppliers and we consider them as part of our family We promote innovation and sustainability within the industry and value suppliers with extensive technical expertise good logistical

and local support and top-quality products

We are advocates for our Preferred Suppliers and love what they do We are excited to welcome these companies to the Think Water Family and look forward to promoting excellence with them

Scan to contact Steve Dudgeon

Managing Director AU

Scan to Contact Bruce Pederick

State Manager AU

Scan to Contact Chloe Barrott

Marketing Manager NZ

Scan to Contact Steve Swingler

Account Manager AU

The designer water storage solution As the name suggests Designer Tanks offer a broad range of stylish above ground rainwater tanks that will present as a stylish feature in your garden These tanks are made from 100 recycled polyethylene and range in sizes from 300L to 1600L Accessories and connection kits also available

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

10 THINK TANK | April 2021

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Now Available at HR ProductsOffering a comprehensive Senninger Irrigation Solution

For more information on Senninger Impact Sprinklers please contact your local HR Representative

A highly accurate Woltman ParallelTurbine Water Meter pattern approved and tested in Australia for use in non-urban applications Dial for DN150 - DN300 size meters

Key Characteristicsbull Wide measuring range small pressure lossbull Low starting flow and high overload securitybull Pulse output with integrated reed switchbull Long - term accuracy and stabilitybull Swirl - reducing inlet designbull Replaceable measuring internalsbull Water - proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glasscopper registerbull Solid cast iron construction with durable epoxy coating for exposure to field applications

Applicationsbull For measuring of high flow ratesbull For horizontal or vertical installationbull For cold water up to 50deg Cbull For applications where NMI-M10 Pattern Approved water meters are required

Available Sizesbull 50mm - 300mm (2rdquo - 12rdquo)bull Table E flanged inletoutlet

To access the NMI Certificate of Approval go to httpswwwindustrygovausitesdefaultfilesnmicertificates-approval14-3-54_r1_0pdf

wwwhrproductscomau

For more information please contact your local HR Products sales office

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

HR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AMHR Products WPD Approved Water Meter Advertisement - Think Tank Catalogue 2021ai 1 17022021 81831 AM

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

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EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Buried in your business system is a large amount of information about your customers Not only is this information useful to better understand when and how much your customers buy from you but also their potential share of wallet and collectively your market share within your main service area

Once you extract this information and do some basic analysis it can give you some great insights into your customers

bull Identify new customers and then workout how effective your marketing spend is

bull Compare how existing customers are purchasing year on year

bull Identify key markets you operate in- intuitively you know this-

however there may also be other markets yoursquore missing out on that may not be obvious

bull Compare your data with external data (ABS and other data sources) to work out market share

This information is also valuable to guide you on strategic decisions such as marketing spend target markets and opening up new opportunities such as new product lines

How do I extract this informationThe simplest way to do this is to export top line sales history by customer for each year into an Excel spreadsheet Most systems export as a CSV file ndash which is easily handled in Excel

Once this data is downloaded it can then be cleaned up and sorted ndash if this is a step too far then we can assist

Once the data is cleaned you can then allocate a market segment to each customer such as horticulture broadacre cashpos local government schools residential cattle sheep dairy lifestyle basically what ever fits your business and location

To then do further work on the data councils ABS Stats NZ or other sources will have localised information on farm enterprise numbers this can give you a good picture of your local area

Gold in dataHow analysing your sales data from previous years can tell you about your customers and business

Phil Best Operations Manager AU

COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY

Low powered and cost remote monitoring and control

wwwtheyabbycomau

12 THINK TANK | April 2021

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Here at Think Water we aim to ensure all employees are given access to gaining essential skills that are required in the workplace Employers will find that allowing employees to access training results in increased performance and engagement from the team It will also lead to improved employee retention in the business This is why the National Support Office always aims to provide excellent training solutions for our Members and their teams

Think Waterrsquos Digital Hub provides all this and more It is a digital online learning platform that is fully subsidised by the NSO The Hub gets updated monthly with hundreds of new training videos which ensures new and exciting content each year

Our aim for 2021 is to provide courses that are relevant effective and inspiring to ensure users stay engaged We carefully select our training options by finding engaging interactive and useful resources for our Members

This year users will see great topics around personal growth and workplace skills along with our yearly compliance courses around workplace behaviour business interaction and health and safety

The platform host is also introducing a lot of great new tools focused on self-help and mindfulness This provides options for users to access books and mindfulness tools that may be useful in work and outside of work This is forming a holistic training solution for Think Water Members and their teams

Some great new training courses that have recently been added to the Hub include the following

bull Managing Stress and Building Resilience

bull Emerging Leader Award

bull Effective Communication and Sales Skills

bull Successful Project Management

Scan the QR code to access the Digital Hub If you need an account created please email Aimee directly

A holistic training solution

Easy LokTough jobs made easyJoin large bore metric pipe fast and reliably every time

PHI0910-0321

PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1PHI0910 Think Tank EasyLOK Adindd 1 26221 332 pm26221 332 pm

Aimee Hewson Business Support (AU amp NZ) amp HR Trainee

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Think Water Northern Rivers

In recent months Think Water Northern Rivers have undertaken the implementation of numerous software programs and hardware upgrades to increase effeciency within the business

Software introduced includes H2Go Microsoft Teams Microsoft Project Windows 10 PipeDrive AutoCAD Erica IrriCAD Mondaycom and Microsoft Visio

By implementing the collaborative online sharing communication platform Microsoft Teams for both staff and contractors the Team has since noticed tremendous improvements in effective communication Email has become less clogged with ldquoconversationsrdquo and more informative Each department has easy access to relevant information allowing them to communicate with each other external suppliers and customers with ease

A new file structure procedure has been introduced allowing all files to be stored and saved in a sensical fashion This new structure prompts data collection for jobs that may have been missed previously version control documents and synchronises how information is saved

As part of the project all computer hardware has been upgraded which was quite a staggering cost for the business but has been balanced out with less need for external IT

assistance Due to all staff using Windows 10 our workflow is more effecient troubleshooting is easier and can be performed inhouse therefore saving money This business manoeuvre has allowed the company to make the first step in migrating towards a cloud-based network the programs are running smoother processes faster and the maintenance is now less

Microsoft Project has been introduced to assist in developing schedules assigning resources to tasks tracking progress managing the budget and analysing workloads It is currently being used by the Team for the design process and workflow and will eventually include installation timelines as well

lsquoMondaycomrsquo has been inplemented to assist with outlining the progress of each stage of the project (design quote and installation) Although the Team comments that Microsoft Project is the most successful project planning platform they have used so far

H2Go (Ostendo) was one of the first software packages to be introduced and is the core of our business H2Go is designed to assist staff in focusing on the range of operational activities that generate revenue and profits within the business while giving your accounting software system something to account for The Team has mentioned lsquoit has been a challenge to adapt to the system but is proving to be far more capable than

expectedrdquo H2Go links well with Xero our accounting software and Tyro our EFTPOS terminal

PipeDrive a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform has been inplemented to track the progress of quotes to sales customer communication and gauge the amount of work coming up to plan installations PipeDrive is also useful for measuring sales performance and assisting with cashflow predictions You can access this software remotely and itrsquos known to be reasonably user-friendly while costing about $124month in subscription fees

AutoCAD Erica and IrriCAD have been introduced to assist with drawing irrigation system designs and installation plans These programs both link with Microsoft Teams for data sharing

Implementing Microsoft Visio has given us the ability to draw and document flow charts for customers and installation technicians It is important to note that the program needs to be set up properly to be successful within the work flow Microsoft Visio is a cloud-based program costing $950 which makes it easier to work collaboratively between office and offsite staff

Although the digital upgrade project has been costly at times and a steep learning curve Lee Rothwell is happy with the result and reports a successful implementation and many improvements within the business from all aspects

Upgrading to increase efficiency within our business

14 THINK TANK | April 2021

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Businesses require structure to grow and be profitable Planning the structure of your business ensures there are enough resources to meet the companyrsquos goals and each employee understands the reporting hireachy

This article outlines some key points to consider when conducting your organisational structure review

Job Descriptions and Optimising EmployeesRegardless of the kind of structure an organisation uses itrsquos critical to clearly identify job descriptions so that employees are aware of what is expected of them In addition the structure may identify weak spots or deficiencies in the companyrsquos current management team

CommunicationGood structure allows for better communication Since the flow of information is essential to an organisationrsquos success the structure should be designed with clear lines of communication in mind

Clear Reporting Relationships

Employees need a clear understanding of who they are accountable to Otherwise responsibility for a task may fall through the cracks wersquove all seen that before Each employee benefits by knowing whom they can turn to for direction or help

Establishing and Attaining ObjectivesThe design of an organisation structure should be in line with achieving company goals The business should be structured to enable the employees to help the company reach its targets most effectively

Growth and ExpansionCompanies that grow rapidly are those that typically make the best use of their resources A sound organisation structure ensures that the company has the right people in the right positions A well-designed organisation structure facilitates the completion of all projects Completing projects successfully leads to business growth

Remaining Stable Yet Flexible to Promote Growth

An organisationrsquos structure needs to provide a stable work environment for employees If a company undertakes several organisational changes in a short period of time employees may feel nervous about their position in the company and may be distracted from their day-to-day tasks leading to a loss of productivity

However itrsquos essential that an organisation is flexible to adapt to changes that are out of its control For example key individuals within the company can leave and economic or environmental factors can affect the profitability of the business A well structured business will be nimble and shift organisationally to accommodate these challenges

If you would like assistance with the structure of your business please contact Chris or your Operations Manager directly to discuss

Why is it important to have a good organisational structure

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

A A P I N D U S T R I E S C O M A U

ENGINEERING

PLUMBING

IRRIGATION

FIRE PROTECTION

MINING

OIL amp GAS

15April 2021 | THINK TANK

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business

Team members whoserve as mentors

also report greaterjob satisfaction

and greater career success

Mentoring programs have a positive

track record for enhancing the effectiveness of a teamrsquos success

said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered

opportunities to learn and grow

of team members

94

mentoring had a positive impact on their profits

of businessesbelieve

55

an increase in productivity due

to mentoring

of businessesreported

67

Andrew Walker Operations Manager NZ

5Mentorship is a relationship between two people where the individual with more experience knowledge and connections can pass along what they have learned to a more junior team member within your business Keep in mind though the mentor and the mentee do not necessarily need to be in the same business for the mentorship to be successful

1 Define the programrsquos goalTo get started you need to define the parameters of your program and what you want to achieve from it These should typically be designed to nurture talent and improve performance provide benefit to the company and enhance personal growth This should also be focused on where the business will benefit most

2 Outline the process in the workplace

Well-organised programs offer structure and support to maximise the value to both the team and the business Each program will be different so itrsquos important to provide quick simple points to outline

a) How the program can be accessed

b) Who can be a mentor (what level of experience or qualifications are required)

c) The duration of the mentorship

d) The format One-to-one or group setting

e) How will the programrsquos success be tracked and measured

In the case of a franchise business such as Think Water the use of modern technology auch as lsquoMicrosoft Teamsrsquo (and the like) is a very cost-effective group communication platform

3 Select program participantsMentoring thrives on diversity If you want your program to be successful it needs a diverse set of mentors and mentees to share thoughts ideas and experiences By doing so both parties can identify strengths and weaknesses and how they can work together to improve

4 Match mentors and menteesThe strengths and weaknesses of a mentee should be complimented and balanced by those of a mentor To enable an inspiring experience itrsquos important to be mindful of who yoursquore pairing and why Mentees should be matched based on several criteria for instance

a) Diverse yet complementary interests

b) Compatible personality

c) Age group similarities

d) Experience skills and ideas that meet the menteersquos future career goals

5 Provide trainingBefore during and after the program you should provide mentors with ongoing training and development to help them support their mentees Mentors must also learn how to balance their own expectations and the company objectives

The main goal of a mentorship initiative is to prepare your team members with the necessary tools for success Having a structured and organised program will allow goal-oriented team members to further develop their skills The best part is yoursquore able to utilise the resources and connections your company already has

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

16 THINK TANK | April 2021

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Made for Australian conditions

Made to AS1477

A comprehensive range Vinidex PVC-U systems 15-150mm

Stocked in all warehouses nationally

PVC PressurePipe Systems

AustRALiAn

mAdEamp 100 RECYCLABLE

Contact your local sales representative for further information

17April 2021 | THINK TANK

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

bull Heavy duty galvanised trussesbull Built to Australian building codes

1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

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4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Think Water Hawkes Bay

We are pleased to announce the new General Manager of Think Water Hawkes Bay Mark Allan

Walking into this position in October of 2020 Mark claims to have no formal qualifications or irrigation experience and due to the exceptional depth of knowledge and experience already within the team he wonrsquot need it

Throughout his career Mark has had an assortment of management roles including an 18 year span at Toll where he managed a business unit that was awarded lsquoBranch of the Yearrsquo for nine years straight and achieved the best EBIT as a percentage of revenue for 14+ years

From his first day on the job Mark said that team have been outstanding Everyone is so honest and open enabling him to develop a high-level view of where the business is currently positioned He highlights

the undoubting commitment and trust shown by owners Mark Tremain and Anthony Waites in handing their business over to him He says he doesnrsquot underestimate the difficulty the change would be after years of making decisions themselves but appreciates it nonetheless

Mark Tremain mentioned ldquoI am expecting Mark will bring in processes and organisation to our business to assist with looking after the areas that are often forgotten about but in fact are the most importantrdquo

ldquoI have attempted to not change the world overnight as I am a realist around understanding the business firstrdquo said Mark

While in his newly appointed position of General Manager he intends to be solely focused on ldquoworking on the businessrdquo Mark mentions the team has made great progress with a newly established OHampS committee and

weekly operational meetings such as a Monday morning tool-box meeting

With future plans in place to implement procedures such as a CRM and other IT systems that will enable more streamlined processes and efficient workflows The current focus is on clearly defining roles and responsibilities which will hopefully result in the elimination of the lsquoJack of all trades master of nonersquo syndrome

Mark also states his intention to review HR with a key focus on staff performance management and setting target objectives to better develop his team and ultimately benefit the business

Another goal of his is to begin aligning both of the Hawkes Bay retail stores to give a consistency of outcome for customers Mark plans to utilise current trade data historical activity and customer feedback from both stores to provide a gold mine of information to review and learn from

bull Fully galvanised wallsbull Quality Polytoughreg liner

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1800 008 888 w w w b u s h m a n t a n k s c o m a u

Not just another cable company

Call or email for further information07 3856 6182 | technicalpowerflexcablescomau

Pump Control ndash Alternating or Parallel Alternated control of two pumps (or other devices)

Pump Control amp Level Monitoring 10 different functions in one very compact device

Welcome to the team Mark Allan

ldquoTo achieve our goals we will be engaging with the team to explain lsquowhyrsquo something needs to change

not just that it is lsquochangingrsquordquo

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

18 THINK TANK | April 2021

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Could this be the update your business needs By the time the end of the financial year rolls around we expect to have fourteen Think Water Members using the groups ERP software system H2GO

H2GO was first rolled out two and half years ago with Northern Rivers and Whitsundays putting their hands up to be the groups ldquopilotrdquo stores In the early days itrsquos probably fair to say that the software was quite rough and ready however over the past 12 months it has evolved to be very robust It now offers a very broad use functionality and is a state of the art tool across all areas of your business

The evolution of H2GO is driven by fortnightly Member webinars with developing partner Cutcher amp Neale These webinars and group training

sessions provide Think Water Members with the opportunity to raise any issues queries or suggested enhancements directly to the developers and it is free of charge

Like any piece of software there are generally changes and enhancements that are undertaken regularly just think about Microsoft or Apple etc The beauty of H2GO is that it is entirely flexible and updates can be done quickly Some of the key updates inplemented over the past twelve months include

bull a brand new discount matrix and pricing structure template that is capable of self managing your margins

bull complete new range of reporting with the stroke of a key

bull email and SMS client interaction for service work and

bull a suite of quote templates that self populate once the job details are complete

These are but a few changes with many more completed and in the works In fact in the past twelve months more than 50 enhancements have been made based on Member feedback

So if you are feeling that you donrsquot really have a handle on your business and arenrsquot quite sure which pathway to head down then maybe it all starts with the numbers and the software Drop Chris a line or email for further details

Chris Rehm Operations Manager AU

Discover Nelson Irrigationrsquos complete line of products at nelsonirrigationcomau Tel 1300 856 368

New bracket for hanging the S7 solves problems for organic growers

Introducing the S7 Spinner a new Nelson innovation designed to combat rising energy and labor costs The S7rsquos modular design allows quick and easy nozzle exchange mdash and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigator hours mdash simply turn flush and reconnect Special insect protection helps prevent plugging or stalling

NEW WORDMARK GRAY

NEXT GENERATION

Use 1000 Series Valves for zone control and remotely control and monitor your irrigation system from anywhere with our new TWIGreg Wireless Controls mobile app and next generation TWIGreg components

NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1NIC_WFG SPRING 2021v2indd 1 22022021 20035 PM22022021 20035 PM

Scan the QR Code or click here to watch previous H2GO webinars

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

T 1300 307 407 E aunetinfonetafimcom W netafimcomau

NETAFIM UNIRAMtrade The Worldrsquos Most Advanced Dripper Technology

THE MARKET LEADING DRIPPER

UNIRAMtrade AS XR

UNIRAMtrade AS UNIRAMtrade AS (Vineclip) UNIRAMtrade CNL

More than 11 billion UniRamtrade drippers are used worldwide by tens of thousands of satisfied farmers With the largest effective filtration area in the industry and offering 100 uniformity of water and nutrients for years to come there is no substitute for UniRamtrade

ANTI SIPHON (AS) Anti-vacuum mechanism prevents suction of dirt into the dripperline providing the critical protection needed against dripper clogging

LARGEST FILTRATION AREA Entire base of the UniRamtrade dripper is made of filter inlets flushing large particles from the dripper eliminating clogging and maintaining an essential supply of water for uninterrupted operation

WIDEST FLOW PATH ndash ULTIMATE CLOG RESISTANCE Performs even in conditions with extremely poor water quality TurboNettrade labyrinth assures wide water passages large deep and wide cross section improves clogging resistance

ROOT INTRUSION BARRIER (XR) Prevents roots from penetrating the dripper mechanism Ideal for Sub-surface irrigation

Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1Netafim Think Tank Platinum Ad_297x210_wBleedindd 1 20082020 122055 PM20082020 122055 PM

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

While the latest boom on digital marketing has us all excited about new technologies and cheaper marketing avenues it is important to remember that our target audience will govern where we spend our marketing dollars

It is very easy to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out when it comes to marketing Digital marketing is easy and sometimes the cheaper option however itrsquos important to remember that it doesnrsquot replace all other marketing channels

Taking a close look at a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer can give you an insight into how lifestyle and personality can effect what marketing channels they are more likely to notice and trust This in turn allows you to tailor your marketing and target the ideal customer more effectively

Following are seven ideas to help you recognise the characteristics of your ideal customer

1 Personal demographicsIs your ideal customer male or female Where do they live Are they married and how many kids do they have The answers to these question help you to get a better imaginary vision of this person

2 LifestyleAre they a homebody or do they like to get out and about Where do they go to get their latest news What are their interests The answers to these questions will tell you where your ideal customer is exposed to media

3 Personal preferencesWhat inspires your ideal customer What is their passion What do they value What are their interests or hobbies What are their likes or dislikes This information will help you to understand how to trigger an emotional connection

4 OccupationWhat do they do for a living How much do they earn What industry are they in and where is their workplace located The answers to these questions will assist with understanding if your ideal customer can afford your products and services

5 Online activityHow often does your ideal buyer go online What websites do they visit the most What device do they use This information will help you decide how technological they are and where the person hangs out online

6 Media exposureWhere do they go to get their news Do they watch TV or listen to the radio Do they read the newspaper These questions will help you to decide what traditional marketing channels capture the attention of your ideal buyer

7 Social mediaHow often do they use social media What are their favorite and least favorite platforms What content appeals to them The answers to these questions will help you decide what content to create and where to publish it

Understanding your customers is the key to targeting them with marketing messages that deliver results You donrsquot need to write long answers to these questions just simple short notes that allow you to build a visual of your ideal customer You may even find that interviewing a selection of real customers give you the answers you need

If you would like help creating your ideal buyer persona please contact Natalie directly and make a time to work through these questions and more

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

Finding the golden ticket for your marketing

21April 2021 | THINK TANK

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

wwwhansenproductsconz

Irripod 2 amp 4 Pod PacksIrripod 2 amp 4 Pod Packs

bull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Versatile pod based systems ideal for smaller area bull Low cost of ownershipbull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durablebull Simple Technology bull Efficient use of water bull Strong and durable

2 PodPack

4 PodPack

Flexible irrigation solution

Covid has forced Employers to rethink ways of working to keep the doors open for business The rise of working from home has become the norm for so many companies along with a different set of rules and new classifications on how employees work best

Professionals are urging employers to familiarise themselves with the different kinds of personalities and the way in which they work and how it affects various individuals One of the theories we are referring to is the division of workers as Integrators Segmentors or Cyclers

Integrators

Enjoy or donrsquot mind combining work and private lives (eg Taking a call over a weekend while out for dinner or at a party) They are borrowers from one area of life to another

Segmentors

Never overlap work and private live (eg Will not attend social functions of colleagues or use workplace childcare facilities) They could be referred to as tunnel vision people those that work on one task at a time

Cyclers

Fit between the two segents (eg integrators in the week working after hours but become segmentors over weekends once they leave on a Friday afternoon you will not hear from them until Monday morning)

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challengers for employers and finding the right fit for your company is vital

Professor Karin Sanders of UNSW Business School states ndash ldquoPersonality is who you are and who you are is how you workrdquo

Another common way of quantifying personality is with The Big Five Personality Traits scale It is however well documented that personalities can and do change due to circumstances and age

Extraversion ndash Social and outwardly engaging

Openness ndash Likes new experiences or environments

Conscientiousness ndash Thoughtful and more organised (guideline users)

Agreeableness ndash Compassionate puts other before themselves

Neuroticism ndash Feels sadness or anxiety more frequently

If you are interested in learning more about the personalities of your employees click or scan the QR code above to do an online test or contact Liesle directly to discuss

Liesle Corns Business Manager amp HR Company Secretary

Image source J M Digman ndash Personality Structure Emergence of the Five-Factor Model

THE BIG FIVE

PERSONALITY

TRAITSWho we are is how we work

confident

OPENNESS

Degree of intelle

ctual

curiosity

creativity

and a preference

for noveltyin

vent

ive

secure

sensitive

challenging friendly

solidarit

y

outg

oing

easy-going

efficientconsistent

curi

ous

nervous

detachedcompassionate

reserv

ed

ener

getic

careless

organisedcautious

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Tendency to be

organised and

dependable

EXTR

AVER

SION

Tend

ency

to s

eek

the

com

pany

of o

ther

s

and

talk

NEU

ROTICISM

Predisposition to

psycological stress

AGREEABLENESSMeasure of onersquos

trusting and helpful nature

22 THINK TANK | April 2021

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings

Think Water Hastings

Welcome to the Think Water Family Michael and Grant We are excited to see what you have in store for your new business venture

Business Owners Michael Dillon and Grant (Charlie) Barran Phone (03) 5979 7144 Email MichaelDillonthinkwatercomau GrantBarranthinkwatercomau

Why did you join Think Water

The opportunity to have a business with brand integrity and support to help us grow

How long have you been in the irrigation industry

I Michael have just recently joined the industry 35 months ago Charlie has been in the irrigation industry for 30 years now

What is your primary market

It varies Irrigation trades and rural farms on the Mornington Peninsula also the retail tank and pump market propagation and mature tree nurseries

What has been your biggest challenge so far

Understanding the irrigationwater business and remembering the difference between a faucet socket and a faucet adaptor (Michael)

In all seriousness laying over 2km of 2rdquo rural And Charlie working with retail customers to understand what they want and or need

What is your biggest win so far

Our biggest win so far has to be opening our pool shop three months into owning the business and also picking up two contracts to supply and fit out vineyards

What is your favourite product

My favourite product right now (Michael) is the Grundfos 5-47 it is the easiest pump to sell to the retail market and Charliersquos is the Hunter PGJrsquos

Most interesting project

Our most interesting project so far was when we developed a water system to irrigate over 100 acres of a new style of close planted vines at Stanleyrsquos Road winery located in Merricks North South Victoria

What plans do you have for the future

Well in mid-February we opened our pool and spa counter (photo above)and a dedicated vineyard section of our shop We are expanding and taking on two new staff members which will allow for time to concentrate on business development across all sectors

EUROFLOreg CULVERT PIPE

0800 99 77 33wwwpandfglobalcomsalespandfglobalcom

Choose EUROFLOreg pipe for your next project

bull Strongtwin-walledHDPEpipe

bull Massiverange15sizesfrom160mmndash2100mm

bull Saveoncoststhrougheasyhandlingandinstallation

EUROFLOreg is the pipe for all your rural commercial and industrial projects

AUSTRALIAN MADE WATER TANKSKingspan Water amp Energy is a market leader and trusted

source of expert advice for water solutions including rainwater harvesting water storage irrigation stock

water and stormwater management

kingspancomauwater

23April 2021 | THINK TANK

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Imagine a day without waterJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Pumps Filters Heaters Heat Pumps Cleaners Sanitizers Automation White Goods Water Features Maintenance Products

wwwpentaircomau | follow us on facebook amp LinkedIn

At Pentair we believe that the health of our world depends on reliable access to clean safe water Itrsquos in this spirit that work to create smart sustainable solutions that empower you to make the most of lifersquos essential resource mdash today and every day

Water for every part of your dayJust as water touches every part of your life our innovative products and passion for clean safe and sustainable water are with you throughout your day

Next-level rise and shineA Pentair water treatment system can deliver clear water throughout your home so your morning shower can

provide a more refreshing wake-me-up and your hair and skin will thank you for removing impurities

As you pick out your clothes for the day yoursquoll notice cleaner softer clothing as a result of washing them in cleaner softer water

And when yoursquore ready for your cup of morning brew you can get the most from your gourmet coffee beans by using great tasting water

Water from farm to tableAnother way Pentair makes a difference is by increasing the efficiency of water usage in agriculture With Pentairrsquos help farmers are using less water to achieve greater crop yields That means more sustainable food in more favorite recipes on your table

Relaxation done rightWater is essential even to everyday leisure so yoursquoll find Pentair hard at work there too

Going to swim a few laps or maybe relax in a hot tub Pentairrsquos filtration systems help ensure a cleaner experience Plus our expertise in energy efficiency allows us to make energy consumption as optimal and responsible as possible

Or maybe yoursquore just going to kick back with a beer on the patio Brewmasters appreciate our sustainable brewing systems for the control it provides them Removing contaminants from the brewing water means more delicious and consistent batches

Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair

24 THINK TANK | April 2021

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

When most people think of rainwater they think of how pure the source is Of course the original source is but the contaminantes it comes into contact with afterwards in the collection and storage process is where real health issues can arise

This need for rainwater filtration is nothing new but the feedback from customers reliant on this type of water source was the need for a system that was not only flexible to their filtration needs looked great was neat and tidy but also incorporated everything they needed into one package

With all this in mind Puretec have spent the last few years designing the patented HybridPlus in house to deliver everything the market asked for and was released into the market in late 2020

The carefully considered design includes a three stage filtration process UV sterilisation using Radfire technology plus model options to include a premium pump andor mains to rain changeover switch

The HybridPlus embodies Puretecrsquos core

purpose of ensuring everyone has safe and

clean water sustainablyThe design process didnrsquot stop there giving the luxury of gull wing access doors to provide easier maintenance a 3-point locking system and concealed ventilation Moreover there was even more to consider in the design a UV system that had a

unique connection system so that it could be connected from either the left or the right of the unit making connections quicker and easier for plumbers and tradespeople on site

Impression is everything when it comes to in-store displays and being such a large unit the next consideration for the project was to ensure it was display friendly for all Puretec dealers

A custom pallet that the unit could be shipped on as well as being used for being displayed in-store was the answer During its initial release the first lot of systems were also shipped out with a custom cube stacking display to draw attention to the unit and create general conversation around the truly unique piece

The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution

25April 2021 | THINK TANK

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

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I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Crusader Hose have come from humble origins to become the world-leading manufacturer of hose for travelling irrigators Over 35 years the company has not only grown in size but with a dynamic research and development team have developed the worldrsquos best-quality goods The range of products now includes layflat hose and reel systems for irrigation fire and mine dewatering

Noel Gardner from Think Water Whitsunday attests to this ldquoWe are a major supplier of hose and equipment to the sugar industry The quality and demands on the long lengths

of irrigation hose have caused many challenges for these suppliers The latest developments by Crusader Hose have brought the Flexidragreg to worlds best standardrdquo

With a culture of continuous improvement the key developments with Flexidragreg have been both low-pressure flexibility and ease of handling Technical improvements in concentricity and adding annealing were both achieved after major plant investment and upgrade

Francois Steverlynck Managing Director of Crusader Hose maintains ldquoWe can confidently say that we have a hose as good if not better than Angus Travelflex and Snaptite Furthermore we stand by our products with a 10-year warranty something that some importers have had issues withrdquo

ldquoAs a preferred supplier to the Think Water Group we look forward to building on our relationships with more Members We are here for the long haul and are fully committed to the irrigation industry of Australia and New Zealandrdquo Francois concluded

Premium Irrigation Layflat Hose

Phone 03 9720 1100Email salescrusaderhosecomau

wwwcrusaderhosecomau

FLEXIDRAGFLEXIDRAG

Customised Layflat Hose Systems

Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry

26 THINK TANK | April 2021

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

World Leading Pond amp Lake Management brands all available at one place

Contact our amazing customer service team on 1300 278 283 or email salesaquatecequipmentcom

for more information

We are a knowledgeable provider of a wide range of water purification technologies for any type of water filtration application From water softening and media pre-treatment and membrane systems to ultra-pure water systems we have a solution for your business

wwwcontinentalwatercomau Customer Service 1300 166 253salescontinentalwatercomau

Pure Water Solutions for You

Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy ChainDynaDrive is Davey Water Productrsquos latest all in one home pressure system with a variable speed drive that maintains water pressure at a fixed point regardless of an increase or decrease in water demand in the household It is now also available as pre-assembled daisy chain constant pressure pumps

According to Daveyrsquos Product Manager Nandhakumar Govindaraj customers can expect DynaDrive to keep the pressure steady no matter how many taps they have running and best of all it is energy and cost efficient

ldquoThe number of taps being used in your home doesnrsquot impact your water pressure or flow because DynaDrive keeps pressure constant and steady As taps are turned off the drive adjusts automatically keeping pressure constant but reducing the energy consumedrdquo Nandha says

ldquoYou can also set the water pressure where you want with an easy to set up and use controller that comes with an intelligent interface and compact design The controller also gives you warnings for any system faults and lets you daisy chain two pumps in parallel if neededrdquo

The stainless-steel impellers in the DynaDrive also offer reduced power consumption and low noise output which makes for quiet pump operation and increased wear resistance

The system comes with a Davey built totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) electric motor that ensures longer life for the pressure system and easy service while also being economical

ldquoWe conducted field trials with a small group of customers and the feedback was that DynaDrive is noticeably more quiet than other models and they could feel the constant water pressure especially in showers The customers also found that DynaDrive was more responsive compared to other traditional pressure controllersrdquo Nandha says

ldquoThis is a solution we know our customers and dealers have been waiting for so they are as excited as we are to launch DynaDrive into the marketrdquo

For more information on DynaDrive head to wwwdaveycomaudynadrive or contact your local Davey dealer

27April 2021 | THINK TANK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HeritageTankscomau

BUY a magnificent Heritage WaterTank via your local brilliantThinkWater Branch and GET

Complimentary Level IndicatorComplimentary State Appropriate Fire Fitting

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | SAVE UP TO $ 360

FREE CALL 1800 531 847 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FREE CALL 1800 531 847

SAVE UP TO $360

I think you would all agree with me when I say that the Think Water brand has a strong well designed and highly recognisable style within our industry However itrsquos not without itrsquos weaknesses and limitations which is why the decision has been made to take it to the next level

All brands go through some kind of evolution at some stage if not many stages of their lifespan There are many examples of brand evolution some subtle some extensive for example Telstra Coke-Cola and Google Regardless of the size of the company or degree of evolution the process is essential to maintaining the strength and consistency of the brand in its market

The last brand update for Think Water was in 2012 nine years ago and since then technology your businesses and the market have changed dramatically The aim of this evolution is to give you guidelines to confidently market your business in todays world

Before I go into what changes you can expect to see I will explain the key points of the task

bull The key style of the Think Water brand will not change it will be enhanced

bull A group wide perspective will be taken with all additional guidelines

bull All creative solutions will be scalable to suit big and small businesses

bull Brand compliance will be introduced to assist with the aim of achieving consistency across the group

The main drive to evolve our brand comes from the following demands

bull The emergence of new technologies and understanding how our brand works with them and

bull The request to be more diverse in business markets while maintaining a consistent style with the group

You can expect to see the introduction of guidelines for the following new sections in the CIP Social Media Advertising Media Brochures and Marketing Material Events and Promotional Products Plus enhancements to the existing sections Uniforms Signage Stationery Websites and Photography

The ldquoBeyond Irrigationrdquo line will be removed from the Master Brand to assist with enabling diversity Members will be encouraged to use their sub-brand more

Colours fonts and other exisiting Master Brand guidelines like clear space and minimum size will remain the same While complimentry and informative supporting graphics will be added to the suite of approved assets

The project is expected to take place over a 12 month period beginning in April 2021 Regular updates will be released to the group on the Members Portal and in the Weekly Update

A focus group of eight Members two staff of Members and the Board have been engaged to assist with the process of reviewing change outcomes

I am excited to be working on this project that will give you better tools to market your business If you would like further information on this project please contact me directly for a chat

Brand Evolution

Natalie Kingcott Marketing Coordinator

28 THINK TANK | April 2021

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape One of the biggest global challenges facing todayrsquos farmers is insect damage to their thin wall drip linetape Just a few bites from insects can wreak havoc on a field leading to the flooding of hundreds of hectares destruction of crops and days of manual labor to repair

Insects cause damage to the drip linetape by biting or scratching through the drip linetape in the search for food Rivulis X-Pell is a unique solution where an active insect repelling ingredient is embedded directly into the drip linetape

One taste and insects will be gone before they can do any significant damage to the drip linetape

After successfully launching in many countries including Italy Mexico Russia and Spain Rivulis X-Pell will be soon available in Rivulis T-Tape and D1000 in Australia

The Rivulis X-Pell patent-pending technology goes to the core of the drip tape blending the minimum amount of active ingredient needed directly into the plastic structure to protect the drip tape from insect damage says Richard Klapholz Rivulis CEO We dedicated years of research and development to

identify an effective solution that finally solves the widespread challenge of insect damage to drip lines and tapes

Rivulis X-Pell has been proven effective with nearly one million meters of tests in Italy Australia Russia Mexico Spain and Portugal in addition to commercial launches in selected countries It can enable growers to save money by using lower wall thickness driptape Rivulis X-Pell is safe reliable and recyclable

Contact a Rivulis representative or visit our website to learn more wwwrivulisxpellcom

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause damage But never fear

you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

How it works

1 There are lots of insects in the soil and they have their sights set on

your drip linetape

2 It takes just a few insects biting through your drip linetape to cause

damage But never fear you have Rivulis X-Pell drip linetape

3 One taste of the Rivulis X-Pell drip line and the insects will move on

leaving your drip linetape safe from insect damage

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

If you dream of winning the fight against insects wreaking havoc on your drip irrigation your dreams have come

true X-Pell from Rivulis uses patent pending technology to protect it from insect damage making X-Pell so repellent

they simply leave it alone X-Pellrsquos proven performance worldwide has given growers the peace of mind that their

drip irrigation systemrsquos no longer easy prey In fact it bites back

The worldrsquos first insect repellent drip line and drip tape

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

BITEback

X-Pell is proven to provide 99 protection against insect damage to drip line tapes based on trials conducted in Australia

Mexico Italy Spain Turkey and Russia

29April 2021 | THINK TANK

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Powered by Bluetooth and battery operation the Toro Tempustrade DC Battery Controller provides full watering control from your smartphone

By using the Tempustrade DC app on a smartphone or tablet the battery controller is ideal for managing irrigation in areas without mains power meaning you have full watering control from your device With customers and contractors in mind Toro has made irrigation easy and convenient without compromising on quality

The Tempustrade DC is simple to use with flexibility for watering preferences

including four independent programs and three start times per program It is available in 1 2 4 or 6 stations and comes with LCD and no LCD given the option to program the controller using the app or manually

Your irrigation equipment will always be safe as the Tempustrade DC is vandal-resistant in a valve box while tap timers are vulnerable as they are screwed into the tap And therersquos no more need to access your valve box and risk the yucky dip and deal with the crawling insects inside With Tempustrade DC the power is literally in your hands with just a touch of a button or swipe of the screen

Recently released is the Toro Tempus DC Battery Controller Kit This kit contains the controller solenoid valve and manifold so customers donrsquot need to buy separate components to kickstart their irrigation system The complete kit includes all components needed and is offered at a great value pack price Available in 1 2 and 4 station packs

Visit torotempuscontrollerscomau for tutorial videos on how to download the app and program the controller Call your Toro Representative for a DEAL on NEW Tempustrade DC Battery Controller and Kits

toroaus toroaus toroaustraliatoroaus

Tempustm DC KitsAll The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

PREMIUM IRRIGATION DRAG HOSE

TRAVELFLEX RUBBER

POWAFLEX POLYURETHANE

dennismayhcdnzconzhcdowtechnologyconz

HCD stock a Full Range of Rubber amp PVC Suction Hoses PVC Layat BAUER FITTINGS Complete range of TRAVIS COUPLINGS CAMLOCKS and Clamps suitable for all Irrigation amp Agricultural purposes

Black nitrile rubber irrigation hose for use with traveling irrigators

Black polyurethane irrigation hose for use as a long-life travelling irrigation hose

PLASSON TALKSTime and Money Saving Valve SolutionsWe get excited when we hear the words ldquoTIME SAVERrdquo or ldquoMONEY SAVERrdquo and this coupling valve is all that and more

The Plasson Quick Coupling Valve is a quick and easy to install irrigation solution By permanently attaching this device to the irrigation pipe the easy release key on the valve allows you to automatically shut off the valve resulting in the ability to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Yoursquore guaranteed a long lasting highly reliable and durable coupling valve made out of polypropylene and acetal a stainless steel spring and NBR seals

This great little device is suitable for fixed or portable sprinkler irrigation livestock watering systems and landscape irrigation systems

The unit is installed beneath the surface to allow close mowing and other similar yard work Making it a great solution for mown fields grazing pastures and the like

Quick Coupling Valve

Permanently attached to the irrigation pipe the valve allows you to regulate the number of sprinklers in use

Highly-reliable amp durable Easy release of key automatically shuts valve Body polypropylene and acetal Spring stainless steel Seals NBR

Features

For sprinkler livestock amp landscape applications

Saves you time and money

31April 2021 | THINK TANK

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Aqua-Traxx Proportionally balanced cross-

section increases flow

turbulence amp velocity

The superior choice fordrip irrigation

Precision-moulded emitters resist

clogging amp promote uniform output

09 415 0300

wwwirrigationconz

Seamless extrusion

No leaks or bursts

wwwpipemakersconzCheck out our website for details

We are moving to a new showroom so we can expand our product range increase our stock holding and offer

you even greater certainty around your pipe delivery

HR PRODUCTS TALKS

Pattern Approved Water MetersDale Harris General Manager at HR Products has taken the time to summarise Australiarsquos new regulations around pattern approved water meters

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes relating to the metering of water from licensed water entitlements These regulations stipulate approved or compliant water meters are now required for all instances where non-urban water metering is required

The National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering came into effect nearly 10 years ago in July 2010 The Framework agreed to by Australian state and territory governments aims to deliver nationally consistent

non-urban water meter standards to increase measurement accuracy

The National Framework stipulates that all non-urban water meters shall be

bull Pattern approved by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

bull Installed in compliance with the Pattern Approval certificate

bull Validated by a certified validator (accredited by Irrigation Australia Ltd) after installation

In terms of the rollout dates and local requirements the relevant state and territory government departments have produced their own codes policies and guidelines that operate within the National Framework

It is recommended that you consult your own state legislation to be fully aware of any new regulations and deadlines for installing approved water meters Irrigation Australia Ltd have published links to the state and territory resources relating to the current requirements on their website

Scan the QR code or click here to read Dalersquos full summary of the current situation

Disclaimer the information provided in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon in terms of compliance to local state and national regulations Please consult the necessary authorities to obtain the most up to date documentation and compliance requirements

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAMUsed for Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) tanks the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector

is part of NORMA Grouprsquos extensive Water Management range

Reusable Lightweight Safe and Reliable the ldquoNIBC50rdquo connector is a must

Did we also mention it can be used with chemicals due to the design and its incorporation of dual Viton seals

Find out more on Think Water News httpswwwthinkwatercomauibc-adaptor1300 252 677

normagroupcomau

The IBC Adaptor in High Demand60mm ACME thread with 6mm pitch x 50mm BSP

32 THINK TANK | April 2021

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

6 REASONS TO INSTALL A SOLAR PUMPING SYSTEM FOR OFF-GRID WATER SUPPLY

There are many factors which may impact the pumping system you choose including the water source (eg bore dam or river) where you need the water storage and ultimately power supply The two most popular off-grid pumping solutions are solar or generator powered

A diesel or petrol generator pumping system may seem like the easiest and most convenient option but a renewable solar pumping solution offers many advantages over a generator powered system

Letrsquos explore six reasons why you should consider a solar pumping solution

1) Save money on energy costs When compared to a diesel generator powered system a solar pumping system is up to 4 times more cost effective over the first 10 years of operation To find out more about these savings visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

2) Long term cost efficient pumping Depending on the quality of the water solar pumping systems often have a longer life span than other off-grid alternatives This typically means the payback of the initial investment in a solar powered system over a diesel generator powered system is less than 3 years To find out more about the payback period visit wwwgrundfoscomausolarpumpingsolutions

3) Easy installation You can easily install a new solar pumping system regardless of whether you need to pump from a bore dam or river To ensure the installation of a solar pumping system runs smoothly itrsquos important to bring together pumps controllers and solar arrays that have been designed to work together 4) Virtually no maintenance Forget having to drive around a property replenishing fuel or maintaining diesel

generators Once installed solar pumping systems have a comprehensive range of protection features minimising downtime and reducing ongoing maintenance to near zero

5) Environmentally friendly Diesel generators like with other fossil fuelled motors will produce carbon emissions when in operation A solar pumping system in comparison produces no emissions (when in operation) reducing the carbon footprint of your installation

6) Government Incentives The Federal Government as well as Governments in WA QLD NT and NSW offer a range of different rebates loans and grants to support investment in solar pumping systems See an overview of the available assistance below

National Water Emergency Infrastructure Rebate Scheme On 2 October 2020 the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21 The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories including co-funding arrangements To find out more visit wwwagriculturegovauwaternationalon-farm-infrastructure-rebate

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCrsquoS) STCrsquos are tradable certificates which are created when you generate renewable energy such as Solar The number of credits you receive will vary depending on your location and size of the project

To find out more about STCrsquos visit wwwcleanenergyregulatorgovauRETScheme-participants-and-industryAgents-and-installersSmall-scale-technology-certificates

Drought Assistance Loans The Federal and Queensland State governments are offering lowno interest loans to support future sustainability for primary producers

To find out more about the Federal Governments Drough Loans visit wwwbusinessgovaugrants-and-programsDrought-Loans

Forget Diesel think Grundfos Solar Grundfos solar pumping solutions have been tried and tested in harsh Australian conditions for over 20 years So next time your customer needs an off-grid water solution think Grundfos Solar

If your customer needs water in an off-grid area for stock watering or irrigation you will need to find a reliable cost effective water pumping solution

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT SOLAR INSTALLATION BY THE THINK WATER COLAC TEAM

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
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  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

NETAFIM TALKS

Dripper ComparisonA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life

We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers and are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon

devices are unique specific drippers and are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify the common features formulate a score to evaluate quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question The concept involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of the structural features of the dripper and contributes to its quality In essence the higher the Turbulence

Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain a constant flow rate This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth and create a self cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K =254 x P x (W x D)

N x Q2

K ndash Turbulence Coefficient

P ndash Pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres

W ndash Width of labyrinth water passage in mm

D ndash Depth of labyrinth water passage in mm

N ndash Number of teeth in the labyrinth

Q ndash Labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

FarmCJ-Convertible Jet

GardenMP-Multistage Pump

HomeSJ-Stainless Jet

Orange Pumps strives to build reliable effi cient high performing and cost competitive water pump products Designed and developed in Melbourne utilising our heavy duty electric motors and uniquely shaped pump internals for maximium performance

In the Home around the Garden or on the Farm ndash therersquos an Orange Pump right for the job

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation systemFigure 1 The filter at the inlet to a

modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper

DrIppers comparIson

Article supplied by Netafim

IntroductionA farmer and his crop care not about the specifics and technical details of a dripper It is what comes out of the dripper that they care about They need a dripped supply of water into the wetted bulb-shaped root zone on demand during the life of the crop This dripped supply may not vary or decrease over time It must be accurate and constant over the croprsquos life This is the essential feature of a dripper to a farmer

A dripper is a dripper is a dripper Not really We know in reality that there is a vast difference in drippers and specifically dripper quality sometimes for good reasons and other times not A good quality dripper may be defined as one that emits a predetermined flow rate that is accurate and constant over its intended life

Features that contribute to keeping a dripper clean and working are essentially those that contribute to the dripperrsquos quality The main structural features such as the filtration area the labyrinth depth width and length are common to all drippers These are all measurable Other features such as anti-root intrusion and anti-siphon devices are unique to a specific dripper and they are not measurable

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score to evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence CoefficientA dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

K - Turbulence CoefficientP - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metresW- width of labyrinth water passage in mmD- depth of labyrinth water passage in mmN- number of teeth in the labyrinthQ - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

A method has now been devised to quantify these common features and formulates a score evaluate a drippers quality and make an educated choice that best suits the application in question

The concept simply involves two aspects the dripperrsquos net filtration area and its Turbulence Coefficient

The Turbulence Coefficient

A dripperrsquos structural features can be defined as an inlet filter an inlet orifice a flow path whose shape is a labyrinth with teeth an exit lsquobathrsquo and finally an orifice that is made through the wall of the drip line from which the droplet leaves the irrigation system and goes into the root zone

With the exception of the inlet filter the Turbulence Coefficient embraces all of these structural features of a dripper that contribute to dripper quality In essence the higher the Turbulence Coefficient the lower the dripperrsquos sensitivity to clogging and the better its ability to maintain its constant flow rate over its intended life This is achieved by the vortexes that develop in the labyrinth that create a self-cleaning stream which purges contaminants out of the dripper

The higher the Turbulence Coefficient the better the quality To work out the Turbulence Coefficient simply follow the formula below

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 119875119875119875119875 lowast (119882119882119882119882 lowast 119863119863119863119863)sup2

119873119873119873119873 lowast 119876119876119876119876sup2

K - Turbulence Coefficient P - pressure differential through the labyrinth in metres W - width of labyrinth water passage in mm D - depth of labyrinth water passage in mm N - number of teeth in the labyrinth Q - labyrinth flow rate in litres per hour

Let us look at how these elements impact the Turbulence Coefficient and thereby the quality of a dripper

The depth and width of the labyrinth the greater the better

At 10 m pressure the flow rate is 10 litre per hour through a labyrinth with 44 teeth and width x depth dimensions of 060mm x 059mm The resulting Turbulence Coefficient is 72

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120787120787120787120787120787120787120787120787)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 =72

However increasing the labyrinth depth and width by 001mm to 061mm x 060mm but keeping all other measurements the same the Turbulence Coefficient would increase to 77

119870119870119870119870 =254 lowast 10 lowast (120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120788120788120788120788 lowast 120782120782120782120782 120788120788120788120788120782120782120782120782)sup2

44 lowast 10sup2

119870119870119870119870 = 77

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

DRIPPERCOMPARISONS

Introduction

AfarmerandhiscropcarenotaboutthespecificsandtechnicaldetailsofadripperItiswhatcomes

outofthedripperthattheycareaboutTheyneedadrippedsupplyofwaterintothewettedbulb‐

shapedrootzoneondemandduringthelifeofthecropThisdrippedsupplymaynotvaryor

decreaseovertimeItmustbeaccurateandconstantoverthecroprsquoslifeThisistheessentialfeature

ofadrippertoafarmer

AdripperisadripperisadripperNotreallyWeknowinrealitythatthereisavastdifferencein

drippersandspecificallydripperqualitysometimesforgoodreasonsandothertimesnotAgood

qualitydrippermaybedefinedasonethatemitsapredeterminedflowratethatisaccurateand

constantoveritsintendedlife

Featuresthatcontributetokeepingadrippercleanandworkingareessentiallythosethatcontribute

tothedripperrsquosqualityThemainstructuralfeaturessuchasthefiltrationareathelabyrinthdepth

widthandlengtharecommontoalldrippersTheseareallmeasurableOtherfeaturessuchas

anti‐rootintrusionandanti‐siphondevicesareuniquetoaspecificdripperandtheyarenot

measurable

Figure1Thefilterattheinlettoamodernboat‐shapednon‐PCdripper

Figure2Thelabyrinthofanon‐PCdripperwiththeexitlsquobathrsquototheleftwhereaholewouldbe

madethroughthedripperlinewallforthedroplettoexittheirrigationsystem

Figure 1 The filter at the inlet to a modern boat-shaped non-PC dripper Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where a hole would be made through the dripperline wall for the droplet to exit the irrigation system

Figure 2 The labyrinth of a non-PC dripper with the exit lsquobathrsquo to the left where the droplet exits the irrigation system

34 THINK TANK | April 2021

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

How much does quality reliability and peace-of-mind mean to you Europress Press-fit is a fast easy and risk-free piping system manufactured in Europe

The quality aesthetic appearance means you get a tidy finish with one installer saying he wished he ldquohad installed on the side of the wall exposed to the customershellipthe system was artrdquo

Speedy and easy installation when using Europress results in reduced installation time generating project savings of up to 30 benefiting both the installer and the end user

Satisfied Pump Shed Installer for water supply ldquoEuropress stainless work in the shed took less than two days by one guyrdquo ndash Steve

The Europress 316L Stainless Steel pipe and standard fittings have been certified for drinking water use by

many national and international authorities

Being in compliance with the WaterMark standard Europress is installed throughout New Zealand and Australia for potable water applications Other common uses include plumbing up filtration units new pump installations dairy shed construction and many more

Other quality products from Waterworks

ELYSEE Compression Fittings are a premium product designed to produce the most reliable and durable connections in MD pipeline applications and are used daily by agricultural and industrial pipeline installers worldwide

CLIC clamps are a bracketing system gripping possibilities for the world of pipe and cable fastening

4N tapping bands have provided 40 years of solutions for the water main industry

Spears PVC and CPVC can be used for many applications such as hotcold water waste water and slurries

Knowledge experience and innovation is the foundation of the Waterworks team with more than 125 years combined industry expertise Itrsquos easy and it works

Europress brings market leading innovation and quality

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Agriculture is often a very dusty affair which places high demands on both people and technology At the same time a decreasing number of workers are having to cope with increasingly shorter harvest periods and significantly larger harvest quantities

In order to meet the increased requirements for biosecurity product safety and workplace safety very good hygiene management and the right cleaning solutions are required

A dust-free workplace ensures higher motivation and fewer sick days for employees while preventing damage to machines Furthermore plant and animal pest life finds it more difficult if not impossible to take root

The golden rule is Do not allow dust to develop and remove unavoidable dirt from the process chain as early and comprehensively as possible

Dust in the post-harvest process for field vegetablesAnyone who harvests potatoes and onions knows how many tonnes of soil reach the farm where it is ground to dust during sorting redistributing bagging and packing

Vehicle traffic on the farm also plays its part in spreading the fine particles A broom can partially remove the dust but above all it kicks it up and

the dust then drifts onto machines worktables and shelves higher beams and into the roof truss

The more dust that moves upwards the more likely it is to become a hazard source Mould and mycotoxins may develop in places that cannot be seen under the influence of humidity Pests may even nest This problem can only be counteracted by keeping an eye on hygiene requirements and using the appropriate cleaning technology

If vacuum cleaners andor vacuum sweepers are used on a daily basis the particles can be easily collected and brought back to where they belong ndash on the farmland

If wet and dry vacuum cleaners are equipped with an automatic filter cleaning system even large quantities of dust can be effectively and seamlessly removed The multifunctional machines can also be used to suck in liquids and easily remove dust from tractor cabs storage silos shelves beams and many other objects

Minimising particles in all process stepsDust in grain cultivation is unavoidable ndash and eliminating it from harvest through transport storage and delivery to the mill is a challenge However only consistently removing

fine particles throughout all production steps can help to protect employee health especially regarding lung diseases to maintain the harvested crop quality throughout the entire storage period and to protect buildings and machinery

Repairing a combine harvester is often far more costly than investing in cleaning technology which can prevent damage caused by dust

But which solutions are recommended The frequently used compressor solutions remove dust from surfaces but at the same time release it into the environment and cause a very high load for the user

With a wet and dry vacuum cleaner the particles are effectively removed and not spread further so that the essential components of a combine harvester for example can be cleaned well A high-pressure cleaner can be used for parts that do not need to be kept dry such as the cutterbar

Thorough cleaning of storage areas and silos prior to storage prevents pests spreading from the old harvest to the new harvest Furthermore nests with secondary growth or mould can be removed This creates the necessary conditions for storing grain for a year or longer

KARCHER TALKS

Dust control in agriculture

36 THINK TANK | April 2021

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

IO(RCHER

WE ALL NEED TO CLEAN EFFECTIVE FASTER BETTER See the Team at Think Water for your commercial equipment cleaning needs

A suitable vacuum cleaner with an extension hose ensures that the dust is not kicked up but is absorbed by walls and other surfaces The floors can be efficiently cleaned with sweepers or a large vacuum cleaner with a wide nozzle

Powerful machines also help to remove dust that is kicked up when storing grain via a grain pit

Depending on the site stationary extraction systems have to be installed with parameters that can be derived from the respective country-specific specifications If no extraction system is in use the complete conveyor system all the transport routes and the machines used in the warehouse should be extracted regularly in order to significantly reduce the dust load for employees

Furthermore regular cleaning has the advantage that any remaining grain residue in the conveyor system are removed before it starts to sprout or mould spreads

Every detail is importantWith the reduction in medications given to animals especially antibiotics hygienically flawless feed is more than ever an essential basis for successful animal husbandry

If grain and other ingredients such as protein or mineral feed come out of storage all sources of contamination must be eliminated during processing Only thorough work can prevent rodents other pests mould and mycotoxins from endangering animal health

Therefore dust and impurities have to be regularly removed not only in the silos but also at the gristmill and at the feed mixer Wet and dry vacuum cleaners as well as sweepers or vacuum sweepers are very well suited for this work

Particular attention is paid to outdoor silos whose contents are exposed to daily temperature fluctuations and thus to the formation of condensation water A check before each filling and at least one annual deep cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner and hot water should be performed as standard

Itrsquos a proven fact If hygiene is consistently taken seriously the farm manager only stands to profit Healthy employees are motivated healthy animals achieve high animal performances the veterinary costs are reduced and the company reputation is impeccable

37April 2021 | THINK TANK

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Congratulations to our fastest growing stores in Preferred

Supplier products Measured period August 2020 to February 2021

Think Water teams are educated and always learning Congratulations to these teams on their ongoing professional development Total courses completed as at 31 March 2021

Congratulations to our Members with the highest growth in followers on Facebook and Instagram Total followers as at 31 March 2021

Stores must be operating for the full period measured from the previous year Subscribes to NSO Social Media Services

As at 31 March 2021

1 CALLIDE VALLEY2 HAWKES BAY3 DURAL4 MAREEBA5 MILDURA

6 DARWIN7 CANTERBURY8 ALICE SPRINGS9 SWAN HILL10 MELBOURNE

1 WEST COAST2 HAWKErsquoS BAY3 TAUPO4 SMITHTON5 MAREEBA

6 GISBORNE7 NEW PLYMOUTH8 ADELAIDE9 MANAWATU10 DARWIN

1 DARWIN2 BROOME3 CALLIDE VALLEY4 HAWKES BAY5 CAIRNS6 LEETON7 MAREEBA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 MANAWATU10 ADELAIDE

1 ADELAIDE2 MILDURA3 HAWKES BAY4 BROOME5 DURAL6 MARLBOROUGH7 NOOSA8 ALICE SPRINGS9 DARWIN10 WEST COAST

PERFORMANCEPREFERRED SUPPLIER SALES LEADER BOARD

SOCIAL MEDIAFOLLOWER LEADER BOARD

DIGITAL HUB LEADER BOARD

HIGH

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

3686

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

22659

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

515

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

7426

FOLLOWERS ACROSS TW GROUP

178

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

1371

NATIONAL PROFILE

FOLLOWERS

14917 EMAIL DATABASESUBSCRIBERS

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

RectorSeal the logos and other trademarks are property of RectorSeal LLC its affiliates or its licensors and are protected by copyright trademark and other intellectual property laws and may not be used without permission RectorSeal reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice copy 2020 RectorSeal All rights reserved R50714-0820

RectorSeal Australia Pty Ltd bull PO Box 5092 bull Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 07 3267 7277 bull rectorsealcomau

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

THINK WATER THINK SampT VALVES

0800 426 000 steelandtubeconz

SampT are the valve specialists we have the range to suit whatever your project and an experienced team to recommend the right products and solutions Contact us today to discuss all your valve requirements

Manufacturer of ldquoThe Safest Tanks and Trailersrdquo

Your Partner in Refuelling Slip-On Water Cartage Units The Ultimate Water Cart

1800 816 277salestticomau

AquaPathtradeDieselCaptaintrade FirePatroltrade

ldquoAs admirer of high quality businesses I think TTi is up there with the best The quality of the product is very high with obvious points of difference

Ultimately it makes it very easy for us to sell amp the end user to buyrdquo

Adam Stockwell Managing Director Think Water Darwinwwwunitedfastenerscomau

FASTENERS amp FIXINGS I ABRASIVES I CUTTING I SEALANTS I ADHESIVES I LUBRICANTS TOOLS I SAFETY I MATERIALS HANDLING I PETROCHEMICAL I SPECIAL MANUFACTURE

AUSTRALIArsquoS LARGEST INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR OF FASTENING PRODUCTS amp INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES

THE THINK WATER DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

rainharvestingcomauCall our team at 07 3248 9600

Cleaner water Lots of it

WMTS-014WM-032110

Superior Performance

For use on potable waterNon-toxic inaccordance withNSF Standard 61

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Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3

Congratulations on opening your third Think Water location Cheryl and Phillip

The new store will open on 15 April 2021 and will be located on the main street of Whangamata (75km south of Whitianga) Cheryl describes the town as Whitianga 10 years ago

This is an exciting business venture for the couple and we wish them the very best of success

Congratulations Cheryl amp Phillip

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEARCH FOR THINK WATER ON Google | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube

  • Letrsquos get digital
  • Success for the Think Water Academy
  • Welcome to the Family
  • Gold in Data
  • A Holistic Training Solution
  • Upgrading to Increase Effeciency Within Our Business
  • Why is it important to have a good organisational structure
  • Steps to setting up an online mentoring program in your business
  • Welcome to the team Mark Allan
  • Could this be the UpdateYour Business Needs
  • Finding the golden ticket for your marketing
  • Who we are is how we work
  • Introducing the new owners of Think Water Hastings
  • Making the most of lifes essential resource with Pentair
  • The All-in-One Rainwater Filtration Solution
  • Crusader Hose commits to the Irrigation Industry
  • Enjoy consistent water pressure with DynaDrive now supplied as Daisy Chain
  • Brand Evolution
  • Worldrsquos First Insect Resistant Drip Tape
  • Tempustm DC Kits
    • All The Right Parts In One Great Value Bundle
      • Time and Money Saving Valve Solutions
      • HR PRODUCTS TALKSPattern Approved Water Meters
      • NETAFIM TALKSDripper Comparison
      • Europress brings market leading innovation and quality
      • KARCHER TALKSDust control in agriculture
          1. Button 3